Marko Gazzotti out until December

The 22-year-old number 8 is expected back at some point in December.

The verdict came on Tuesday. Marko Gazzotti, who hurt his right thigh in Bordeaux-Begles’ 25-19 win at La Rochelle on Sunday, will be out for six to eight weeks, L’Equipe reported. Sud Ouest put the lay-off at eight weeks.

Jelonch called up in his place

Named in Fabien Galthie’s 42-man squad, the 22-year-old (4 caps) played all three of France’s matches in July during the first half of the Nations Championship. His withdrawal was confirmed by the French federation on Monday, and Toulouse’s Anthony Jelonch has joined the camp at Marcoussis as his replacement. France face Fiji in Lyon on 7 November, then South Africa at the Stade de France on 13 November and Argentina.

It is also a blow for Bordeaux-Begles, second in the Top 14 on 23 points. Gazzotti had played five of their seven league matches this season, scoring one try, and the club recently extended his contract. Bordeaux-Begles host Bayonne on Saturday with an already crowded treatment room: Matthieu Jalibert, also out with a thigh injury, Martin Page-Relo and Arthur Retiere are among the absentees, and Adam Zapedowski suffered a concussion at La Rochelle.