The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has issued an apology to supporters and journalists for calling up an injured replacement to its World Cup squad.
The FFR tweeted on Sunday morning that Uini Atonio was called up as a replacement for Demba Bamba, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a thigh injury.
But Atonio sustained an injury for La Rochelle in their 23-22 defeat to Bayonne on Saturday so he was unable to join up with the national team.
The FFR deleted the tweet and later announced that Racing 92’s Cedate Gomes Sa would be called up with a statement apologising for the confusion.
Nous avions annoncé l’arrivée de Uini Atonio précédemment, cependant suite à un bilan médical, il ne lui est pas possible de rejoindre le groupe. Toutes nos excuses aux journalistes et supporters qui ont relayé l’info.
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) September 29, 2019
“We announced the call-up of Uini Atonio earlier, but following a medical assessment, he is not able to join the squad [in Japan],” the statement read.
“We apologise to all journalists and supporters who passed on incorrect information.”
France are set to face the United States in a Pool C match on Wednesday but the game could be affected by a typhoon which is developing off the southwest coast of Japan.