Julian Bousquet ruled out of World Cup with season-ending injury

Catalans Dragons prop Julian Bousquet has been ruled out of France’s World Cup campaign after suffering a season-ending injury.

The France international was forced to leave the field early with a knee injury in their 32-6 defeat at Salford on Sunday afternoon.

Bousquet saw a specialist on Tuesday morning and is due to have surgery tomorrow to repair a ruptured medial knee ligament.

As a result, Julian Bousquet has been ruled out for the rest of the season, including the World Cup which he was hoping to play in at the end of the year.

Injuries mount up for Catalans

The Dragons will be without key forward Matt Whitley for approximately two months after he suffered a knee injury in their defeat at Salford.

The England Knights international injured his left knee early in their defeat at Salford.

Scans have now confirmed that Whitley has a torn medial ligament. He will miss around two months of action.

There are only eight games of the regular season left. Whitley should be fit in time for the Super League play-offs, should the Dragons make them.

The injury to Matt Whitley comes as a blow to the Dragons, with him having started 17 games so far this season, scoring four tries.

Ben Garcia return

McNamara made the decision to leave Ben Garcia out for Sunday’s trip to Salford. The France international almost lost an ear at Magic Weekend.

The Dragons skipper could return to the field for Saturday’s visit of Huddersfield in Perpignan.

McNamara’s men currently sit fourth in the Super League table, having won 12 from their first 19 games. They sit above fifth-placed Castleford by four points and are six points ahead of sixth-placed Hull.

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