Report reveals Damian Penaud one of two France stalwarts axed for Six Nations

France’s all-time record try-scorer Damian Penaud is set to miss out on their 42-man squad for the Guinness Six Nations, which will be named by Fabien Galthie on Wednesday, according to a report in French outlet L’Equipe.

The 29-year-old, who overtook Serge Blanco as France’s record-holder with two tries against South Africa in the autumn, is expected to miss out alongside veteran Gael Fickou.

The Racing 92 centre is just two caps shy of becoming a centurion in blue, but may well miss that opportunity during the Six Nations. He captained his country in the tour of New Zealand last year, and started in Tests against Australia and South Africa in the autumn.

Penaud, meanwhile, started in all three Tests in the Quilter Nations Series, and has been the custodian of the French No.14 jersey over the last half-decade, which has helped him amass his haul of 40 tries in 59 Tests.

His return of six tries for Bordeaux-Begles this season may not be enough in Galthie’s estimation, however, particularly with the likes of 21-year-old Pau wing Theo Attissogbe providing competition, as well as Toulon’s Gael Drean.

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This is, nevertheless, a bold call by Galthie as they head into their Six Nations title defence.

France will get the 2026 Championship underway when they host Ireland at the Stade de France on Thursday, February 5, and will bring the curtain down on the tournament on March 14 against England in Paris.

Les Bleus are already dealing with a few injury issues heading into the tournament, with Romain Ntamack expected to miss the opening two rounds.

Penaud’s Bordeaux team-mate, scrum-half Maxime Lucu, is also set to miss the opening rounds due to a knee injury, while fellow deputies to Antoine Dupont, Nolann Le Garrec and Baptiste Jauneau, are also absent.