Rugby

France’s Louis Picamoles ruled out of the Six Nations

Number eight will miss Ireland game with hamstring injury sustained against Italy

France’s Louis Picamoles has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations. Photograph: Getty
France’s Louis Picamoles has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations. Photograph: Getty
Mon Feb 08 2016 - 14:48

France have been handed a blow with the news Louis Picamoles has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations with a hamstring injury.

The powerful number eight was forced off in the early stages of his side’s narrow 23-21 win over Italy at the Stade de France.

And now the Toulouse backrow will play no further part in the tournament after scans revealed he is facing a number of weeks out.

Picamoles absence will be a boost for Joe Schmidt and Ireland as they prepare to travel to Paris on Saturday, just six days after their brusing 16-16 draw with Wales.

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Picamoles has been replaced in Guy Noves’s squad by Bordeaux-Begles number eight Loann Goujon.

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