Clermont duo in doubt for Six Nations

INJURY UPDATE: France internationals Rabah Slimani and Alivereti Raka risk missing Les Bleus’ Six Nations campaign after suffering injuries with Clermont that will sideline them for “several months”.

Next year’s Six Nations campaign will prove an important stepping stone towards the World Cup, being held in Japan between September 20 and November 2.

But prop Slimani and winger Raka, who both play for Top 14 side Clermont, are doubtful for the Six Nations after suffering injury.

Slimani, 29, suffered a “serious” calf injury in training on Tuesday and will be out for “between eight and 12 weeks”, according to a statement by Clermont.

Raka suffered a wrist injury in last week’s European Challenge Cup clash at Romanian club Timisoara and is set for surgery to repair a “scaphoid bone fracture”, said the club.

The Fiji-born player, who was recently naturalised French, will be sidelined “for around three months”, said Clermont.

France’s Six Nations opener will be against Wales on February 1, 2019.

Agence France-Presse