His annoyed expression did not give a glimpse of much hope.
The verdict fell on Monday after new examinations.
The hooker of the XV of France Julien Marchand (26 years old, 16 caps), indisputable holder of the post since the start of the Galthié era, will be forfeited on Saturday night against New Zealand.
The Toulousain indeed injured his ribs just before half-time on Sunday during the victory of the Blues against Georgia (41-15).
As coach Fabien Galthié explained in a press conference after the match, Marchand suffers "in the cartilage of the ribs".
To replace him at kick-off, the Blues staff will have to choose between Peato Mauvaka, Gaëtan Barlot and Pierre Bourgarit, recalled Sunday evening.
The injury occurred from an almost innocuous action.
While the Blues were leading 24-3 and the break was approaching (40th), the tricolor hooker, already grimacing after a previous shock, rose from a closed scrum, shouting.
He came straight out of the field, replaced by his club partner, Peato Mauvaka (24 years old, 7 caps) and he slipped to William Servat, the forwards coach: “It's dead”.
It is a blow for the XV of France, the Toulousain counting among the base men of the coach.
Since Fabien Galthié leads the Blues in fact, Julien Marchand has started thirteen times at the heel, out of fourteen possible.
It was only in Scotland, on November 22, 2020, that the Toulousain did not start, leaving his place to Camille Chat.
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