Auckland: France winger Alexis Palisson and Japan centre Yuta Imamura are likely to miss next week's World Cup opener between the sides, their respective coaches said yesterday.
Palisson picked up a thigh injury in training on Friday, while the 26-year-old Imamura sustained an ankle injury in Japan's final World Cup warm-up against the US last month and will not be rushed back into action.
"Palisson will probably not play the Japan game," France backs coach Emile Ntamack told reporters yesterday.
Warm-up wins
The Toulon player, who shone in the side's two World Cup warm-up wins over Ireland last month, suffered the setback during a Friday training session.
"We will see how it goes but we will take not any risks," Ntamack added.
Japan coach John Kirwan said it was a gamble to include Imamura in the squad and the centre would not be rushed into action for the Pool A match at North Harbour Stadium next Saturday.
"It's a little bit of a risk bringing Imamura," Kirwan said. "He probably won't be right for France so he'll probably be okay for the New Zealand game [in Hamilton on September 16]."
Better each day
Imamura said he felt the ankle was getting better each day and he was confident he would see action after the France game.
"It's a lot better. I have been improving for sure," he said.
"I'll take it one day at a time. When I first did it, I thought I was in danger of missing the World Cup but I've been doing some work in the pool and on a stationary bike, which has helped."
France and Japan are in Pool A with Canada, Tonga and hosts New Zealand.
