France‘s preparations for their Women’s Rugby World Cup semifinal against England suffered a setback Friday with the confirmation that fullback Joanna Grisez is out due to a thigh injury.
Grisez, who scored the winning try in France’s 18-13 quarter-final victory over ireland, sustained the injury earlier this week. Her absence further complicates France’s already challenging situation as they aim to overcome a 16-match losing streak against the host nation, England, in saturday’s semifinal in Bristol. The injury adds to a list of unavailable players that includes suspended co-captain Manae Feleu, Axelle Berthoumieu, and fly-half Lina Queyroi.
“We took the decision to test Joanna Grisez, who felt a muscle problem at the beginning of the week,” France’s co-head coach David Ortiz told reporters. “We tried to look after her, to increase her strength, but it wasn’t enough.”
Kelly Arbey will replace Grisez in the starting XV, with Emilie Boulard named among the replacements. Feleu is serving a three-match suspension for a head-high tackle, while Berthoumieu’s suspension for biting Ireland’s Aoife Wafer was reduced to nine matches on appeal, from an initial 12.
