French flyhalf and second rower to miss start of Autumn Nations Series

Flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert and second-row Romain Taofifenua will miss France's opening match of the Autumn Nations Series after suffering injuries, the French rugby federation said on Sunday.

Jalibert injured a thigh during Bordeaux-Begles' Top 14 win over Bayonne on Saturday, before quickly suggesting he expected to have to miss France's match against world champions South Africa on 8 November.

Les Bleus will also take on Fiji and Australia on 15 and 22 November respectively.

Jalibert has not played for France since a Six Nations loss to England in February.

Coach Fabien Galthie has called up 24-year-old Ugo Seunes, who joined Racing 92 this year from second-tier club Aurillac, as his replacement.

The 35-year-old Taofifenua also suffered an injury in his Racing team's match against La Rochelle on Saturday.

He has been replaced by Stade Francais' Baptiste Pesenti.