France centre Jonathan Danty will miss the opening World Cup match against the All Blacks at the Stade de France due to a hamstring injury, French outlet L'Equipe reported on Thursday (NZ time).
The clash will kick off the tournament in France on September 9 (NZ time) before the hosts play Uruguay, Namibia and Italy later on in Pool A.
Danty has been a regular in the French midfield alongside centre Gael Fickou. They were also the starting pair when France beat New Zealand 40-25 last November.
Through their past 20 tests, France have won all 13 games in which he's worn the No. 12 jersey.
The 23-test international had started the last three warm-up matches for France against Scotland (30-27), Fiji (34-17) and Australia (41-17) on Monday.
Danty's absence adds to France's worries after Romain Ntamack was ruled out of the World Cup with cruciate ligament rupture. Cyril Baille will miss the opening matches due to a calf injury.
Reuters/Newshub.
