France captain Pascal Pape in doubt for Italy game
Lock has to leave training early
France captain Pascal Pape is in doubt for their second Six Nations match against Italy on Sunday after he had to leave training early on Wednesday, the coaching staff announced in a statement.
They said the 33-year-old lock – who didn’t appear to be injured when he left the session – had not fully recovered from the 26-24 opening victory over England last Saturday which saw him win his 50th cap.
As a precaution they have retained four second row forwards in the 25-man squad, from which two players will be omitted for the match itself.
Pape’s career has been bedevilled by injury, and he missed four of France’s Six Nations games last year after suffering a back problem in their opening defeat by Italy in Rome.
The selectors also sent five players home to their clubs – who have a full programme of Top 14 matches this weekend – including wing Maxime Medard, who played the entire match against the English.
Aside from the 37-times capped Medard, the others to be sent home were back-row forward Virgile Bruni, centre Maxime Mermoz and two other wings Geoffrey Palis and Marc Andreu.