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PARIS - France prop Sylvain Marconnet has been ruled out of the World Cup because he has not recovered from a serious leg injury, the team management announced today.
In a statement they said the decision had been taken on the advice of the surgeon who operated on Marconnet after he broke his left shinbone in a skiing accident in March.
Marconnet, 31, France's most-capped prop with 71 international appearances, will be replaced by Nicolas Mas.
Coach Bernard Laporte named Marconnet in his 30-player squad on June 14 despite the injury and he was included in the official selection sent to the International Rugby Board on August 14.
"Sylvain and team doctor Thierry Hermerel went to see the professor Philippe Landreau today. The surgeon decided he had to operate on Sylvain again," the statement said.
Coach Bernard Laporte was quoted as saying he was "deeply disappointed" for the player.
"It's always unfortunate that a player is forced to withdraw from such a competition but it's one of the risks athletes have to live with," he added.
- REUTERS
