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Rookie pair called up as injury problems mount for France
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Two more changes have been made to the French squad ahead of their Nations Championship match against Fiji, scheduled for this Saturday in Lyon.
La Rochelle’s 6’7 lock Charles Kanté Samba and Lyon’s blindside forward Antoine Deliance have joined Les Bleus to prepare for the fixture, as replacements for Anthony Jelonch and Joshua Brennan.
Jelonch and Brennan were both injured over the weekend while playing in the Top 14 for Toulouse against Pau.
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Back-rower Jelonch had only been called up a week ago, as injury cover for Union Bordeaux Bègles’ Marko Gazzotti. His withdrawal backs up those, such as RugbyPass’ Gavin Mortimer, who questioned his selection in the first place, given he has barely played any rugby this season.
Former France U20 internationals Kanté Samba and Deliance are both 21 years of age and are uncapped at senior level. Both have been regulars in their respective club’s matchday 23s this season.
Since naming his original squad, head coach Fabien Galthié has seen his best-laid plans unravel. The weekend before last, after another bruising round of Top 14 action, he lost not only Gazzotti but also Fabien Brau-Boirie, Antoine Hastoy and Karl Sorin to injury.
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