Gabin Villiere is set for further ankle surgery making the star wing the latest player to be ruled out of France’s upcoming Test match against the Springboks in November.
Villiere (26) picked up the injury at the end of May during his team Toulon’s European Challenge Cup final defeat by Lyon, and underwent surgery in June.
But “some slight complications with the ligament which was completely broken” delayed his return, and ruled him out of France’s tour of Japan in July.
Capped 12 times for France, Villiere has not played a match for his club side this season.
France currently have a lengthy injury list of around 16 players for the autumn tests against Australia, South Africa and Japan.
This includes props Cyrille Baille and Demba Bamba, lock Romain Taofifenua, flank Francois Cros, flyhalf Romain Ntamack, centres Gael Fickou and Arthur Vincent and fullback Brice Dulin.
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