France v All Blacks: Les Bleus rocked by injury to key star ahead of Rugby World Cup rematch

France coach Fabien Galthié has been dealt a huge blow ahead of his side's Rugby World Cup rematch with New Zealand, with star centre Jonathan Danty ruled out of the match due to a knee injury.

Danty, who has been in superb form for France this year, suffered the injury in training on Tuesday and will now miss the match against the All Blacks in Paris on Saturday. The 29-year-old is a key part of Galthié's team and his absence will be a major blow to the French.

Galthié will now have to decide who will replace Danty in the side, with Matthieu Jalibert and Damian Penaud the most likely candidates. Jalibert has been in impressive form for Bordeaux-Bègles this season and is seen as a long-term replacement for Danty, while Penaud is a more experienced player who has played at centre for France in the past. The injury to Danty is a major setback for France, who are already without a number of key players for the match against the All Blacks. Captain Antoine Dupont is still recovering from a knee injury, while fly-half Romain Ntamack is also a doubt due to a thigh problem. Les Bleus will be hoping to avenge their defeat to the All Blacks in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final when the two sides meet in Paris on Saturday. However, they will need to be at their very best to overcome a New Zealand side who are in impressive form. The match between France and the All Blacks is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the year and is sure to be a sell-out. It is a rematch of the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, which New Zealand won 8-7. France will be hoping to avenge that defeat and claim a famous victory over the All Blacks.