French falling like flies

The latest is the withdrawal through injury of Gael Fickou, who was replaced by twice-capped Racing 92 centre Henry Chavancy.

Chavancy joins up with Les Bleus from the French XV squad that will play a match against a second-string New Zealand team in Lyon on Tuesday.

Fickou, who pulled up with a thigh injury in training on Tuesday, had himself been called up from the reserve squad to replace Remi Lamerat.

Agence France-Presse