Six Nations:
More front row injury problems for France as Mas is ruled
out for two weeks
17 February 2009
Perpignan prop Nicolas Mas has added to France's front-row
injury crisis following their weekend victory over Scotland.
Mas was
substituted with a thigh injury at half-time in Paris and is
now expected to be out of action for two weeks - ruling him
out of the home game against Wales on February 27th.
He is
the third prop to be sidelined by injury - following Lionel
Faure and Benoit Lecouls - forcing head coach Marc
Lièvremont to scramble around for a suitable replacement.
Last
week he added Dax's 28-year-old Renaud Boyoud to the squad
and he is now likely to turn to Stade Francais' Sylvain
Marconnet when he unveils his 23-strong group for the Wales
game on Wednesday.
"There'll be continuity in selection," vowed Lièvremont.
But the
head coach, who is coming under increasing pressure from the
media and fans, lamented the fact his players had now
dispersed for a weekend of Top 14 action in between
internationals. The squad is due to reconvene in Marcoussis
on Sunday.
"I would
have really liked to have kept the players this week," he
said ahead of the squad announcement.
The
French coach will be keeping his fingers crossed there are
no more injuries at the weekend, especially in the key
tussle between Toulouse and Clermont on Sunday.
Toulouse
coach Guy Noves gave his galaxy of French internationals the
day off from training on Monday but will not risk an
under-strength side at the weekend as the defending
champions go in search of their first win in four games.
Lièvremont also admitted that France's
stuttering start to the campaign had left the coaching team
with much work to do.
Reflecting on their 22-13 home win against Wales he said:
"We are a bit bewildered. On a day when our battling
qualities and our discipline reassure us, there are other
problems which are uncovered. We are going to continue to
work in quite tricky conditions before hosting Wales on the
Friday evening."
Meanwhile, Wales captain Ryan Jones is in positive mood
ahead of the France game, no doubt boosted by reports that
Gavin Henson and Shane Williams should both be fit for the
Paris clash.
"France
like to play rugby and that is great for us. We are both
positive in approaches in the game and try and get quick
ball. Our focus has already turned towards France," he said.
"There
is no better place to play rugby and it is a great place to
win. I was fortunate to do that in 2005 and if this team can
do their homework we are capable of getting a result there.
We have a couple of days off to recharge the batteries and
we will be back on Wednesday," he added.
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