Michalak's season over
Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:07
France's versatile halfbackFrederic Michalak ended his season at Stade de France on Saturday was injured in the match between Toulouse and Stade Français, tearing cruciate ligaments in his left knee.
This happened in the second minute of the match and he was replaced at scrumhalf by Byron Kelleher, the sturdy All Black.
Michalak tackled Stade Français' fullback Hugo Southwell, was injured and was taken off on a stretcher.
He is likely to be away from the game for between six and none months.
The injury comes just when Michalak is retreading to form and has been a part of all three of France's Six nations victories this season. He has 54 caps.
Toulouse won the match an astonishing 29-0.
In his place France have called up Dimitri Yachvili of Biarritz, experienced, a goal-kicker and almost as versatile if not as creative as Michalak.
"I felt a crack when I tried to tackle a Paris player," said Michalak after the game.
"It cracked at the outside of the knee. We'll do tests to see exactly what happened."
Yachvili, who has 40 caps, has not been called up since late 2009.
The 29-year-old made his return after two months out with a knee injury in Saturday's 20-21 loss at Toulon.
France are the only team in the running for the Grand Slam and play Italy on March 14 and England on March 20.
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