'We’re managing him': The France injury toll after win over Ireland

While there was nothing on the scale’s Antoine Dupont’s brutal knee injury last year, France’s Six Nations victory over Ireland on Thursday was not without its physical cost.

Back-row forward François Cros was withdrawn as a precaution in the 62nd minute and replaced by Lenni Nouchi. At that point, Nouchi was the penultimate substitute used, with Baptiste Serin only playing seven minutes, as France looked to steady the ship during a period when momentum had swung Ireland’s way.

“We did have a slight dip and had to defend close to our own line,” said the Montpellier flanker on France 2. “All the replacements and the whole team, I think we really stuck together, as we said we would before the match, to avoid conceding too many points. That’s what we managed to do during that spell, and that’s encouraging for what comes next.”

Cros, Moefana and Aldegheri
Among the other early departures was centre Yoram Moefana, who left the field in the 49th minute and was replaced by Kalvin Gourgues, earning his second cap.

At half-time, tighthead prop Dorian Aldegheri had reported some discomfort and was also withdrawn in the 49th minute.

“We’re managing him,” head coach Fabien Galthié explained. “He’s in the process of returning with his club, and that applies with us as well.”

There were no serious injury concerns to report from a contest that was nonetheless fiercely contested. With France’s next match not scheduled for another ten days, the squad will benefit from a welcome recovery window.