French winger Yoann Huget withdraws from World Cup squad

Winger Yoann Huget has withdrawn from France's World Cup squad after failing to notify his country's anti-doping body of his whereabouts on three occasions.

The Bayonne player will not be named in Marc Lievremont's final 30-man squad at the end of the month.

"I am withdrawing from the World Cup because the punishment I face is anything from the minimum, of three months, to 18 months," he said.

"I prefer to leave the squad now rather than when they are really stepping up their training for the World Cup, knowing that I would not be able to be replaced."

"It is a problem with regard to the regulations and nothing to do with a banned substance," said president of the French Federation Pierre Camou.

France's World Cup campaign begins on Saturday, September 10 against Japan in Auckland.