France prop Bamba out for six months

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FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union – Six Nations Championship – France Captain’s Run – Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy – March 15, 2019 France’s Demba Bamba during the Captain’s Run REUTERS/Ciro De Luca

PARIS (Reuters) – France frontrower Demba Bamba could miss out on their defence of the Six Nations next year after having knee surgery.

The 24-year-old is likely to be sidelined for at least six months, his club Lyon Olympique Universitaire (LOU) said in a statement on Friday.

Bamba, among the exciting generation of French players who saw the country claim the Six Nations crown earlier this year, suffered a cartilage injury playing for France against Japan earlier this month and had an operation this week.

His LOU team mate, former New Zealand international Liam Sopoaga, also underwent surgery on his right knee and will miss the next four months, the club added.