France lock Thibaud Flament will miss Les Bleus’ Six Nations opener against Ireland after confirming the match clashes with his wife’s fertility treatment.
Flament was named in Fabien Galthié’s 42-man squad, but the head coach revealed the 27-year-old will be absent from the Stade de France on 5 February for “personal reasons”.
. “The timing is based on the menstrual cycle of women, with a whole protocol around it. We learned at the beginning of January that ART falls in the same week as Ireland. Even if I saw this possibility coming, it’s not possible to do both, so I won’t play.”
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The Toulouse second-row has since explained the situation publicly, saying his wife is undergoing assisted reproductive treatment after being diagnosed with endometriosis.
Endometriosis can significantly affect fertility, while ART covers medical procedures such as IVF designed to help couples conceive.
“You can’t control the date,” Flament told L’Équipe
Standing 6ft 8in and known for his athleticism and work-rate, Flament has become a key figure in France’s pack since making his international debut in 2021.
A former competitive rower before switching codes, he has earned more than 25 caps and was part of the Grand Slam-winning side in 2022. At club level, he has won multiple Top 14 titles and the Champions Cup with Toulouse.
Pau lock Hugo Auradou is expected to step into the matchday squad in Flament’s absence, with France prioritising depth as well as compassion.
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