French centre facing long suspension

Richard Dourthe, the French centre facing allegations of foul play during last week's win over Wales, is set to go into international exile until he becomes more disciplined.

Jo Maso, France's manager, is angry with Dourthe for yet again stepping out of line and is ready to leave him out for as long as is necessary.

"We did not take any sanctions and the Welsh union did not ask us to. We shall solve the problem internally," Maso said. "We shall be extremely firm with a boy like Richard Dourthe, who has to make amends. The Springboks are coming and the team spirit must be radically different. If it's not, we will make other decisions."

Last season Dourthe was suspended for 30 days for kicking the England No 8, Ben Clarke, during the Five Nations' Championship match in Paris. The South Africans tour France in late November and early December.

Gareth Llewellyn will become the first Welsh forward to win 50 caps on Saturday when he faces Italy in Rome's Olympic Stadium.

The 6ft 2in second rower reaches this milestone and joins the ranks of Welsh legends such as Ieuan Evans, JPR Williams and Gareth Edwards.