New blow for France as fullback ruled out for World Cup semi
NEWS: France’s woes ahead of their daunting Women’s World Cup semifinal against hosts England mounted on Friday with the news that fullback Joanna Grisez has been ruled out through injury.
Grisez, who scored the decisive try in France’s 18-13 quarter-final victory over Ireland last weekend, is suffering from a thigh problem.
Her absence adds to those of suspended pair co-captain Manae Feleu and Axelle Berthoumieu, and fly-half Lina Queyroi, who is out due to a concussion.
Coming into the match off the back of 16 straight defeats to their opponents, France’s task on Saturday in Bristol could hardly have become tougher.
“We took the decision to test Joanna Grisez, who felt a muscle problem at the beginning of the week,” France’s co-head coach David Ortiz told reporters.
“We tried to look after her, to increase her strength, but it wasn’t enough.”
Kelly Arbey moves up from the bench and into the starting XV, while Emilie Boulard will be amongst the replacements.
Feleu is serving a three-game suspension for a head-high tackle, while Berthoumieu was ruled out for 12 matches, reduced to nine on appeal, for biting Ireland’s Aoife Wafer.
