France’s Toulouse lock, Thibaud Flament, is resting at the start of this week at Marcoussis because of a slight muscle scare in a thigh. While the France staff rule out an immediate withdrawal, the management prefer to err on the side of caution before the second test of the autumn tour against Fiji, on Saturday in Bordeaux.

The powerful Toulouse lock felt discomfort in his thigh the day after the intense battle lost to South Africa (32-17) on Saturday 8 November, a match he played in its entirety. According to L’Équipe and Rugbyrama, the injury is not considered serious, but accumulated fatigue and the physical demands of the Autumn Tour have prompted Fabien Galthié and his staff to take the utmost care.

Thibaud Flament, a key man in the lineout and a pillar of the France pack, was therefore rested during the first training sessions of the week at the CNR in Marcoussis. His involvement in Saturday’s match against the “Flying Fijians” is not yet assured and will depend on how his condition develops over the coming days. The decision to protect him could be taken with the aim of ensuring he is at full fitness for the final match of the series against Australia.

Should the Toulouse man be absent, the France staff have an option already highlighted this summer: Hugo Auradou. The young Pau lock (22, 8 caps) could thus regain a starting place for the second game of this three-test series.