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France have called up three players to their Rugby World Cup squad as injury replacements. The most recent additions are La Rochelle fullback Vincent Rattez and Toulon hooker Christopher Tolofua, who replace Thomas Ramos and Peato Mauvaka respectively.
Meanwhile Wesley Fofana has also been sent home with uncapped Lyon center Pierre-Louis Barassi called in his place. It makes four changes in all for France with young prop Demba Bemba also departed and replaced by Cedate Gomes Sa.
Fofana is the biggest blow, a first choice player who injured his thigh in the final warm-up against Italy but did not recover in time to play a part in Japan. Barassi’s selection is a surprise given he has yet to be capped and was not part of the extended training squad named earlier this year. He is also primarily an outside center, whereas Fofana is more typically an inside center.
Ramos has been ruled out with an ankle injury after starting against the USA, while Mauvaka has a lower back (psoas) problem. The latter did not play any minutes in the tournament. Rattez was part of the extended squad while Tolofua is recalled having returned to France after two seasons with Saracens in the English Premiership.
Barassi has already arrived and is expected to make his debut against Tonga in the next pool match for France on Sunday. The other two will need to be integrated into the squad quickly as there is only one week left in the pool stage with England the final opponent for Les Bleus next Saturday.
