SIX NATIONS ROUND-UP:FRANCE LOCK Sebastien Chabal has been forced to pull out of their Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield with a back injury.

The 32-year-old’s place in the squad has been taken by Toulouse’s Yoann Maestri.

Chabal did not take part in training over the weekend in a bid to help him recover from the injury.

However, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) confirmed yesterday that the Racing Metro lock, who won the first of his 52 caps against Scotland back in 2000, will not be fit in time for Sunday’s game.

The former Sale player is the second lock to pull out of the game because of injury following the withdrawal of Romain Millo-Chluski due to a shoulder injury.

France are already without Biarritz trio Fabien Barcella, Damien Traille and Dimitri Yachvili.

Maestri comes into the 30-man squad but it remains to be seen whether Marc Lievremont will gamble on the 22-year-old when he names his starting XV tomorrow.

Scotland’s Alasdair Strokosch and Rory Lamont were yesterday ruled out of the match.

Gloucester flanker Strokosch has returned to his club for further treatment on the ankle injury he sustained playing for them last month.

Toulon fullback Lamont only recently returned from injury but he requires rehabilitation on an ankle problem of his own.

Wales will discover today – when Lee Byrne’s appeal hearing takes place in Glasgow – whether or not the banned fullback can face England in next Saturday’s opener.

The outcome of Byrne’s appeal to a European Rugby Cup independent panel could impact on Welsh victory hopes at Twickenham.

But Wales head coach Warren Gatland has delayed his team announcement for England – he had planned to make it yesterday – pending the result of Byrne’s appeal.