La Rochelle face Stade Francais on Saturday at 4.35pm without their two international half-backs.
Nolann Le Garrec has not played since 3 October, and will not be back straight away. Released on Wednesday by France along with 18 other players from the group of 42, the La Rochelle scrum-half announced his relapse on Friday. “Unfortunately, a relapse in my hamstrings will keep me away a little longer,” the 16-cap international wrote on social media, without giving a timescale.
Troubled by his hamstrings, he had already missed Lyon, the Lions in the Champions Cup and Bordeaux-Begles. His place with France in November is now very uncertain.
A half-back pairing aged 38 combined
Antoine Hastoy is also out after hurting his ankle against Bordeaux-Begles last Sunday, a ligament rupture according to Ronan O’Gara. The La Rochelle boss has made his call: Diego Jurd, 20, makes his first start of the season, having played only four minutes at Lyon. He pairs with Valentin Bouju, 18.
Ben Healy, who deputised for Hastoy in the defeat at Pau (38-17), is not in the squad. Dillyn Leyds, at full-back, will captain the side, with Gregory Alldritt, also released by France, on the bench.
Key figures
3 October Nolann Le Garrec's last game, against Clermont
38 the combined age of the Bouju-Jurd half-backs at Jean-Bouin
4 minutes Diego Jurd's playing time this season before his first start
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