Six Nations
France drop Nyanga
2013-01-30 22:07
Paris - Toulouse backrow forward Yannick Nyanga was on Wednesday axed from France's match-day 23 for his country's Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome on Sunday.
Nyanga had been kept in the squad by coach Philippe Saint-Andre because of fitness doubts over Louis Picamoles (thigh) and Fulgence Ouedraogo (ankle).
But the 28-capped player was released after both Picamoles and Ouedraogo trained without a problem on Wednesday.
"It was a real heart-breaker to have to tell Yannick that he wasn't required. He is a great competitor," said Saint-Andre.
France's starting XV will be named on Friday morning.
France squad:
Vincent Debaty (Clermont), Yannick Forestier (Castres), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont), Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing-Metro), Luc Ducalcon (Racing-Metro), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Pascal Pape (Stade Francais, capt.), Romain Taofifenua (Perpignan), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), Maxime Machenaud (Racing-Metro), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Frederic Michalak (Toulon), Franois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Benjamin Fall (Racing-Metro), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Florian Fritz (Toulouse), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Maxime Mermoz (Toulon)