France lose Nolann Le Garrec for remaining Quilter Nations Series

France halfback Nolann Le Garrec took to social media on Wednesday evening to reveal his Autumn Nations Series is over due to injury.

The 23-year-old, who has started each of France’s last four games at No.9, only revealed the issue as a “muscle injury” in an Instagram story, but did specify he would play no further part in France’s tour. Games against Fiji and the Wallabies remain on the French squad’s schedule for the November Test window.

While the La Rochelle halfback was named in Fabien Galthie‘s updated France squad this week, the coach will now need to delve further into the national halfback stocks for a replacement.

“A muscle injury, unfortunately, forces me to leave the group for the remainder of this tour,” Le Garrec wrote. “Full speed ahead with my teammates! See you very soon on the pitch!”

The youngster’s place in the starting side comes in the absence of Antoine Dupont, who remains sidelined while recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in early March. Last month, the former World Rugby Player of the Year revealed he was aiming to return to the rugby field at the end of November or early December.

France still has 21-year-old Baptiste Jauneau and 32-year-old Maxime Lucu to call upon for the coming Tests, but pressure is mounting as the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw edges closer. France’s four-game losing streak has them placed fifth in the world rankings, within reach of fourth-placed England and third-placed Ireland, but also within reach of sixth-placed Argentina.