Rugby

France wing Yoann Huget out of World Cup with knee injury

Remi Lamerat or Maxime Medard expected to be named as replacement

France’s Yoann Huget is comforted by team-mates after sustaining a cruciate injury to his right knee during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match against Italy at Twickenham. Photograph: Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA

Sun Sep 20 2015 - 13:30

France suffered a first setback in their Rugby World Cup campaign when wing Yoann Huget was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury on Sunday.

Huget sustained an injury to the cruciate ligaments in his right knee in his team’s Pool D opener, a 32-10 win against Italy on Saturday, coach Philippe Saint-Andre told French TV channel TF1.

Saint-Andre then tweeted: “Big thoughts to Yoann Huget, Exemplary player in his investment. Great lad. We are all with you, get well soon!”

A replacement, probably Remi Lamerat or Maxime Medard, is expected to be named later on Sunday.

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The 28-year-old Huget, who has 41 caps with Les Bleus, has been a key member of the French squad since Saint-Andre took over from Marc Lievremont after the 2011 World Cup.

Four years ago, Huget had withdrawn from the World Cup squad after failing to provide his whereabouts to anti-doping authorities on three occasions.

France next face Romania and Canada at the World Cup, before concluding their group campaign against Ireland.

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