Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Six Nations headache for France as Gael Fickou undergoes operation

France midfielder Gael Fickou (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)

Fabien Galthie is facing a midfield reshuffle for the Guinness Six Nations after it was confirmed that Gael Fickou underwent an operation last Monday. The outside centre, a starter in the recent Autumn Nations Series wins over New Zealand and Argentina, was injured on club duty with Racing 92 last weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 30-year-old only played the first half of the 25-all Top 14 draw with Lyon due to a fractured left thumb and an operation at the start of the week will now see him miss the start of the Six Nations.

Facing a recovery ranging between six to eight weeks, the 93-cap Fickou will be absent for the opening two rounds, against Wales in Paris on January 31 and most likely England in London on February 8, with a return pencilled in for the round three match away to Italy on February 23.

Video Spacer

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson reveals his plans for the remainder of their Europe and URC campaigns

Video Spacer

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson reveals his plans for the remainder of their Europe and URC campaigns

He will also miss his club’s Investec Champions Cup fixtures at Glasgow on January 10 and at home to the Stormers on January 18.

A mainstay of the France team for a decade, Fickou twice partnered Yoram Moefana when starting in November. Galthie, though, used Emilien Gailleton at No13 in the series opener against Japan, a match in which Fickou appeared off the bench.

Fixture
Six Nations
France
43 - 0
Full-time
Wales
All Stats and Data

Top 100

Rugby’s best of the best, ranked by experts. Check out our list of the Top 100 Men's Rugby Players and let us know what you think! 



ADVERTISEMENT

HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Men's Highlights

HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Women's Highlights

Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

5 Comments
G
GrandDisse 95 days ago

A lot of interesting alternatives tbh: Gailleton, Depoortere, Barassi, maybe Frisch, Costes or Thomas as well.


Sad for Fickou who was really in form, but maybe that will give him the opportunity to be part of the summer tour in NZ.

N
NK 94 days ago

What's the situation with Arthur Vincent? I haven't watched MHR recently but if he's in good nick, I reckon he should be considered as he fared quite well for France in the early days of Galthie's reign.

J
J Marc 95 days ago

Today, I think he is one of french players who played the most minutes since the begining of the season... He will ,maybe, available for the end of six nations, so for the summer tour...

W
WN 95 days ago

Indeed he could be part of the touring team provided Racing don't play Top14 semi-final.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

A
Aric Boyer 1 hour ago
George Skivington talks up 'relative unknown's England chances

I Could Hardly Breathe! Months of tireless fundraising had finally come through for my small nonprofit, and we had $300,000 in Bitcoin to supply food, shelter, and medical aid to refugees fleeing war. That fund was hope, a future for families who had no other place to turn. It all fell apart in an instant. Our treasurer, a man I'd trusted like a brother, vanished overnight and took the entire fund with him. I was heartbroken. The weight of the people who were depending on us pressed against my chest. I could hardly breathe. I looked at my screen, powerless to do anything as the blockchain ledger confirmed my worst nightmare, the funds had been moved through a series of wallets, vanished into thin air.

Sleepless and remorseful, I consulted a crisis management expert in a desperate phone call. With the calm, panic-slashing tone of her voice, she spoke GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Her confidence was the sort that spoke of seen miracles. At that straw of hope, I grasped and called them immediately.

From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

Our mission is stronger today than ever. Refugee families are still being assisted, and I sleep well knowing our funds are secure. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES not only retrieved our Bitcoin, they restored my faith in resiliency and human kindness. You can reach them on web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

1 Go to comments
A
Aric Boyer 3 hours ago
Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

I Could Hardly Breathe! Months of tireless fundraising had finally come through for my small nonprofit, and we had $300,000 in Bitcoin to supply food, shelter, and medical aid to refugees fleeing war. That fund was hope, a future for families who had no other place to turn. It all fell apart in an instant. Our treasurer, a man I'd trusted like a brother, vanished overnight and took the entire fund with him. I was heartbroken. The weight of the people who were depending on us pressed against my chest. I could hardly breathe. I looked at my screen, powerless to do anything as the blockchain ledger confirmed my worst nightmare, the funds had been moved through a series of wallets, vanished into thin air.

Sleepless and remorseful, I consulted a crisis management expert in a desperate phone call. With the calm, panic-slashing tone of her voice, she spoke GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Her confidence was the sort that spoke of seen miracles. At that straw of hope, I grasped and called them immediately.

From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

Our mission is stronger today than ever. Refugee families are still being assisted, and I sleep well knowing our funds are secure. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES not only retrieved our Bitcoin, they restored my faith in resiliency and human kindness. You can reach them on web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

4 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Why NZR's Ineos settlement may be the most important victory they'll enjoy this year Why NZR's Ineos settlement may be the most important victory they'll enjoy this year
Search