Marconnet misery for France

France prop Sylvain Marconnet has become the second member of Bernard Laporte’s team to be ruled out of Les Bleus’ World Cup opener against Fiji.

The match in Brisbane on October 11 will come too soon for Marconnet who suffered a right thigh injury in training this week.

The Stade Francais forward is expected to be sidelined for approximately three weeks, with centre Xavier Garbajosa also out of action with a similar injury.

Both players are expected to be fit to contest France’s second match in the tournament, against Japan in Townsville on October 18.

France are in Pool B, alongside Fiji, Japan, Scotland and the United States.

They travel to Australia on Monday.