French ace Damian Penaud sidelined
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France's Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup hopes have been dealt a heavy blow with livewire winger Damian Penaud ruled out through injury, Clermont Auvergne have confirmed.
The speedster picked up the serious knock during a training season last week ahead of their clash with Agen on Saturday. The Top 14 club reported that he suffered “a tibio-fubular sprain” and will be sidelined for a period of between six and eight weeks.
The son of former French International Alain Penaud, Damian burst onto the scene for France back in 2017 and has since become a regular starting on the wing. He scored against the Springboks on his test debut and has since earned 17 caps for Les Bleus.
🚨#InfirmerieASM Damian Penaud et Tavite Veredamu absents de longues semaines…
— ASM Rugby (@ASMOfficiel) October 5, 2020
- Entorse Tibio-fibulaire pour Damian (Absent 6-8 semaines)
- Entorse interne du genou pour Tavite (Absent au moins 1 mois)
L'article complet 👉https://t.co/NBLR2c8Jd8 pic.twitter.com/G34KaLlukq
While Penaud's absence is a blow to the test side did manage to win their first three games of the Six Nations without the 24-year-old with Teddy Thomas filling in.
Thomas has just recovered from injury for Racing 92 and featured in their Champions Cup semi-final win over Saracens.
France head coach Fabien Galthie could also turn to Penaud's fellow clubmate Alivereti Raka who looked in fine form against Agen on Saturday racking up over 100 running metres.
Meanwhile, Clermont have also confirmed that back row, Tavite Veredamu, will also be out of action after the forward suffered a knee rotation at the start of the game against Agen is ruled out for at least a month.
