PARIS — France’s rugby team is facing some setbacks ahead of their upcoming test match against New Zealand this Saturday, as winger Damian Penaud and flanker Francois Cros have been officially ruled out.

According to the French Rugby Federation, coach Fabien Galthie will not be making any replacements in his squad of 42 players for the autumn series.

Penaud, who holds the record as France’s highest try-scorer with a total of 36 tries, was unable to participate in the recent match where France triumphed over Japan with a score of 52-12 due to an illness.

Meanwhile, Cros had to be substituted during halftime in the same match after sustaining a head injury.

The absence of these two players could significantly impact the team’s strategy and performance against a strong opponent like New Zealand. The team will need to adjust quickly to ensure they remain competitive in this crucial autumn series.