The Hosts need this like a hole in the head

France loses star back rower

From correspondents in Paris
June 17, 2007

FRANCE back-row forward Elvis Vermeulen, one of his country's Six Nations stars, was ruled out of the Rugby World Cup overnight after suffering a slipped disc, his Clermont club announced.

"As the slipped disc needs an operation in the next few weeks, Elvis Vermeulen has been forced to pull out of the World Cup," a statement read.

Vermeulen scored the injury-time try which gave France a 46-19 win over Scotland in March which guaranteed his country retained the Six Nations title.

The injury was discovered when Vermeulen underwent a scan after Clermont's defeat in the French championship final against Stade Francais last week.

"It's difficult to take," he said.

Agence France-Presse