Vernier out for tournament
- France centre Gabrielle Vernier has been ruled out of the rest of the Women's Six Nations with a shoulder injury. - The official announcement confirmed she will not return to the tournament after assessment. - France will need to reshuffle midfield options ahead of upcoming rounds, changing their selection plans. ( )
France have lost centre Gabrielle Vernier for the rest of the Women’s Six Nations after she injured her shoulder against Wales on April 18. (bbc.com) Vernier went off in the 48th minute of France’s 38-7 win in Cardiff, a match that doubled as her 60th cap for Les Bleues. The 28-year-old later said on social media that her tournament was over, and the French Rugby Federation confirmed she would not return after assessment. (sixnationsrugby.com, eurosport.fr, rugbypass.com) The injury lands in the middle of France’s title chase. After two rounds, France have two wins from two matches, with Ireland due in Clermont-Ferrand on April 25, Scotland away on May 9 and England in Bordeaux on May 17. (sixnationsrugby.com, world.rugby) Vernier is not a fringe player in this squad. She has been one of France’s established midfield options for years, plays her club rugby at Blagnac, and reached 60 caps before leaving the field in Cardiff. (ffr.fr, bbc.com) Her absence forces France to rework the centre partnership just as the tournament moves into its decisive rounds. RugbyPass reported Teani Feleu replaced Vernier during the Wales match, while Six Nations coverage has highlighted Pauline Bourdon Sansus as a key attacking figure in France’s backline. (rugbypass.com, sixnationsrugby.com) France opened the tournament with a 40-7 win over Italy, then beat Wales 38-7 to stay level with England on points after two rounds. England’s points difference is stronger, which keeps pressure on France to keep winning before the final-week meeting between the two teams. (sixnationsrugby.com, sixnationsrugby.com, ultimaterugby.com) The schedule gives France little time to settle on a new midfield shape. Ireland visit on April 25, France travel to Scotland on May 9, and the tournament ends against England on May 17, the match most likely to decide whether England win an eighth straight title or France finally stop them. (world.rugby, espn.com) For Vernier, the milestone cap ended early. For France, the rest of the championship now goes on without one of their most experienced centres. (bbc.com, ffr.fr)
