Toulouse (AFP)
Lyon full-back Clément Laporte was called up by the XV of France to replace center Jean-Pascal Barraque, forfeit, to prepare for the final of the Autumn Nations Cup on Sunday in England, the FFR said on Monday.
Laporte (22), originally from the Landes and past professional in Agen, grew up at the same time as the Lyon club after being crowned world champion with the French Under-20 team in 2018.
His arrival in Marcoussis brings an additional option at the back after the injury of Toulonnais Gervais Cordin, injured in an ankle while preparing for the match won on Saturday against Italy (36-5).
Coach Fabien Galthié preferred Sunday to call a second line, Bayonnais Guillaume Ducat, rather than replacing Cordin position for position.
Holder, Barraque came out late in the match after a violent head-to-head shock with Italian winger Luca Sperandio.
In his absence, there are three centers left for the last match: the Parisian Jonathan Danty, the other holder on Saturday, the Bordelais Yoram Moefana, who celebrated his first selection by replacing Barraque, and the Lyonnais Pierre-Louis Barassi, newcomer.
With Barassi and Laporte, the Lyonnais are now four in Marcoussis.
Scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud and second row Killian Geraci played against Italy.
© 2020 AFP