Damian Penaud Out of France Nations Championship After Calf Injury

Record Try Followed by Early Exit

France winger Damian Penaud suffered a calf injury during Saturday’s opening match of the Nations Championship, a 34‑32 defeat to New Zealand in Christchurch. Within minutes of the kick‑off, Penaud crossed for his 41st international try, extending France’s national record. He was forced off at halftime, ending his involvement in the tournament. The injury has now ruled him out of the rest of the competition.

Confirmed Absence and Next Opponents

French officials confirmed Penaud’s withdrawal on Monday, announcing he will miss the upcoming fixtures against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday and Japan in Tokyo on July 18. The team has yet to name a replacement for the winger, who rejoined the squad after being omitted from the Six Nations. His absence creates a gap in the back three for both of those matches.

What This Means for France

Losing a player who has become a regular try scorer impacts France’s attacking options heading into the final rounds of the Nations Championship. The competition serves as a crucial preparation platform for the summer tours, and Penaud’s unavailability will force the coaching staff to reassess selections. The injury also highlights the physical risks of packed international schedules, especially for players returning to the set‑up after earlier exclusions.