League: French reeling under swine flu

New Zealand-born pair Arty Shead and Andrew Bentley are in the France squad to face the Kiwis on Sunday morning.

TOULOUSE, France – The French rugby league team have been hit by swine flu - and knee injuries - ahead of Sunday morning's (NZ time) Four Nations rugby league match against the Kiwis.

The French have been so heavily hit by misfortune since their effort against England last Friday that they have been granted an extension by tournament organisers on naming their team after having just 18 fit players at training.

"They've all got swine flu," coach Bobbie Goulding told NZPA.

"Clint Greenshields and Dimitri Pelo are getting around the team hotel in face masks.

"(Strength and conditioning coach) Rodney Howe looks like he's breaking out in the sweats too and now I've started to get the sniffles and feel the same.

"There's no face masks for me yet - I'm a rough and tumble Widnes lad."

Goulding said centre Jean-Philippe Baile, second rower Cyril Gossard, centre Sebastian Raguin (all knee) had been ruled out.

Forwards Remi Casty (hand) and David Ferriol (suspension) were already unavailable.

"We had only 18 fit players at training - but I'm not one to moan," he said.

"We have to deal with what has happened and we are still determined to give a good account of ourselves."

The French have even had to call on two of their opponents' countrymen to bolster playing numbers.

New Zealand-born pair Arty Shead and Andrew Bentley - both of whom play for French rugby league clubs - had joined Les Chanticleers squad, Goulding revealed.

Bentley is the brother of France hooker Kane and also plays for Catalans while 31-year-old Shead plays for Limoux.

They both qualify to play for France thanks to residency criteria.

- NZPA