The French coach Bernard Laporte is bracing himself for the prospect of losing his brilliant flanker Olivier Magne for the remaining Six Nations games after the player was cited for an apparent head-butt on Scotland's Stuart Reid in Saturday's match at Murrayfield.
Magne has been charged by match citing commissioner John West with using his head illegally. "I have looked at the match replays and made this decision," said West. The time and place of a disciplinary hearing have yet to be decided but it will probably take place on Thursday.
A 60-day ban is the minimum recommended punishment for butting and the probability is that Magne will receive at least half that for what was rather uncharacteristic ill-discipline by the Montferrand player. He also appeared to be provoked by Reid, who had pulled at Magne's headgear. Nevertheless Reid, based at Narbonne and one of five French-based players in the Scotland team, had to leave the field to have three stitches in a wound just above the eye.
Overall France are likely to be closer to full-strength when Ireland visit Stade de France on Sunday week. While outhalf Christophe Lamaison (knee ligaments) and Samoan-born lock Legi Matiu (torn thigh muscle) are definitely out, Abdel Benazzi, Alain Penaud, Fabien Galthie and Richard Dourthe are expected to return to club action this weekend.
One player who has not been cited is Welsh prop Peter Rogers, who was involved in an alleged stamping offence against England on Saturday. The match commissioner, Stephen Hilditch, viewed the incident on video and decided it did not merit any further action. Rogers will be available for Wales's final two matches against Scotland and Ireland.
Meanwhile, Keith Wood has urged Brian O'Driscoll to ignore the lure of English club rugby and remain within the Irish set-up after rumoured offers from London Irish and Newcastle. Wood, who is committed to returning to Harlequins next season, wants to see O'Driscoll stay in the All-Ireland League.
"They way we are going at the present moment, there are an awful lot of good things happening in Irish rugby and players don't have to drift over to England, which may have been the case a few years ago," said Wood.
"It's a decision he'll have to make for himself but I think he's progressing very nicely. He's got great pace and he's able to make something out of nothing. He's a great asset to have in any side because he takes pressure off the guys inside and outside him."
The English RFU confirmed last night that they were still trying to persuade Wigan's Great Britain rugby league wing Jason Robinson to play the 15-man code for England.
The 25-year-old Robinson, who played rugby union for Bath three years ago, is believed to have been offered a five-year deal to change codes.
England coach Clive Woodward has made no secret of his admiration for the leading league players, and talks are continuing between the English RFU and league players' representatives.
