Six Nations
French suffer injury blow
2010-02-09 17:35
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Ruled out - Aurelien Rougerie (AFP)
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Paris - French wingers Aurelien Rougerie and Benjamin Fall and prop Luc Ducalcon have been ruled out of Saturday's crunch Six Nations match against Ireland in Paris.
Both wingers suffered neck injuries in last Sunday's tournament-opening win against Scotland, while Ducalcon suffered an undisclosed injury when making his international debut at Murrayfield.
Rougerie, playing in his 55th game for France, lasted only five minutes against Scotland following tackles by flankers Kelly Brown and Johnnie Beattie.
Alexis Palisson, the 23-year-old winger from Brive who has won five caps, will replace the imposing Rougerie, 29, in the squad for the Ireland match while 27-year-old Julien Malzieu from Clermont steps in for Fall.
Experienced Toulouse prop Jean-Baptiste Poux, 30, has been called into the squad to cover for Ducalcon.
Coach Marc Lievremont will announce the team for the Irish game at Stade de France at 09:00GMT on Wednesday.
France beat Scotland 18-9 on Sunday while Ireland beat Italy 29-11 on Saturday in their opening match.