Betsen out of November Tests

France suffered a big blow ahead of their November internationals when Biarritz flank Serge Betsen was ruled out with a fractured cheekbone. Betsen suffered the injury in the 34th minute of his club's 26-20 loss to Toulouse in a Top 14 match at the weekend.

The flank required surgery to insert a plate in the cheekbone, which was performed on Sunday night, and will be ruled up for a minimum of a month and possibly as long as two months.

France face Australia in Marseille (Stade Vélodrome) on November 5, then Canada in Nantes (Stade de la Beaujoire), Tonga in Toulouse (Stade Ernest-Wallon) and South Africa in Paris (Stade de France) on consecutive Saturdays.

At best, Betsen could be back for the latter internationals, Tonga and South Africa, but even then it will be a race against time.