Palisson out of French squad for New Zealand

PARIS (AFP) –

Toulon winger Alexis Palisson scores a try during a French league match against Clermont at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, on April 14, 2013. Palisson will miss France’s tour of New Zealand next month after injuring his left hand, the player told AFP.

Toulon winger Alexis Palisson will miss France’s tour of New Zealand next month after injuring his left hand, the player told AFP.

“I can confirm my withdrawal. I need to have an operation on a finger of my left hand,” he said.

Palisson has enjoyed a strong year with newly-crowned European champions Toulon and was brought back into the French international squad by coach Phillipe Saint-Andre for the first time since the 2010 Six Nations tournament.

He will be replaced in the 35-strong French tour party by Marc Andreu of Castres, who will take on Toulon in the French Top 14 final at the Stade de France in Paris on June 1.