New addition to growing France injury list
Remi Lamerat and Antoine Guillamon ruled out of the year-end Tests.
First choice centre Lamerat's absence is a particular blow coming hot on the heels of Fijian-born wing Virimi Vakatawa being ruled out with a knee injury.
In recent days, France had lost lock Felix Galletier and flankers Bernard Le Roux, Fulgence Ouedraogo and Kelian Galletier.
And before the squad was even announced, the likes of another Fiji-born wing, Noa Nakaitaci, flyhalf Camille Lopez, lock Arthur Iturria, props Cyril Baille and Eddy Ben Arous, as well as back row forwards Yacouba Camara, Damien Chouly, Charles Ollivon and Loann Goujon were all injured and ruled out of contention.
Lamerat will likely be replaced by either Henry Chavancy or Gael Fikou, although his Clermont midfield partner Wesley Fofana, just back from an Achilles injury himself, may also come into contention.
Noves will wait until after this weekend's Top 14 matches to pick the replacements for Lamerat and uncapped prop Guillamon, whose place will likely be taken by Malik Hamadache.
France host New Zealand in Paris next Saturday before a second string French XV will play their All Black counterparts in Lyon on November 14.
It's then back to Paris for clashes with South Africa on November 18 and Japan a week later.
Agence France-Presse
