Rugby-France reserve Willemse ruled out of World Cup with injury

France reserve Paul Willemse has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup in Japan this year due to injury, the French federation (FFR) said on Wednesday.

The FFR did not provide details of the injury sustained by the 26-year-old lock, who has five international caps, but said coach Jacques Brunel would name a replacement shortly.

It said in a statement Willemse had left the French training camp and would return to his club, Montpellier, to recover.

The World Cup in Japan will be held from Sept. 20-Nov. 2. France have been drawn in Pool C and will face Argentina, England, Tonga and the United States.