The injury list for the France national rugby team grew significantly over the weekend as Top 14 matches claimed several key squad members ahead of the autumn training camp in Marcoussis, with Bordeaux-Bègles back-rower Marko Gazzotti and La Rochelle fly-half Antoine Hastoy both forced off the pitch injured on Sunday, according to reports from French sporting outlets.
Top 14 Matchday Casualties at Stade Marcel-Deflandre
During Sunday evening’s closing fixture of the 7th round of the Top 14 between Stade Rochelais and Union Bordeaux-Bègles, head coach Fabien Galthié watched his preparations for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series absorb a heavy blow. Marko Gazzotti, the 22-year-old Bordeaux-Bègles loose forward who has already earned four caps for Les Bleus, had to leave the field in the 22nd minute. According to coverage by Rugbyscope, Gazzotti sustained a right hamstring injury following a tackle from Australian hooker Tolu Latu. English flanker Tom Willis replaced him shortly after.
The physical toll continued into the second half when La Rochelle playmaker Antoine Hastoy contested a kick from Maxime Lucu. Hastoy landed awkwardly, severely twisting his left ankle. Two medical staff members supported the fly-half off the pitch in the 52nd minute, making way for utility back Andy Timo. Both Gazzotti and Hastoy are part of Galthié’s 42-man squad slated to report to the Centre National de Rugby in Marcoussis on Monday.
Pre-Match Withdrawals Compound Squad Pressures
The mounting selection concerns for the national team began well before kickoff in La Rochelle. Union Bordeaux-Bègles suffered a triple setback during the pre-match warm-ups alone. Georgian prop Lasha Pkhakadze and fullback Romain Buros both dropped out of action. Tighthead prop Sipili Falatea, initially named among the replacements, also withdrew as a precautionary measure due to a minor back issue, as reported by Canal+ and cited by Rugbyscope. Falatea remains expected to travel to Marcoussis for evaluation by the national medical staff alongside his affected peers.
NOUVEAU COUP DUR POUR LES BLEUS 🤕Appelé par Fabien Galthié pour préparer le championnat des Nations, Marko Gazzotti sort sur blessure, touché à l’ischio-jambier droit 🥺#SRUBB pic.twitter.com/LaCPxhVWZw
These weekend incidents follow a demanding round of domestic fixtures across French rugby. The broader injury toll also includes players such as Théo Forner and Fabien Brau-Boirie, who picked up knocks during Saturday’s Top 14 encounters, further testing squad depth for clubs and country alike.
Medical Assessments Awaited at Marcoussis
With the national squad assembly scheduled for Monday, medical personnel in Marcoussis face immediate evaluations to determine the precise status of the incoming players. While initial broadcasts and pitchside observations pointed to specific strains and joint twists, exact recovery timelines for Gazzotti and Hastoy remain undetermined as tests continue.
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