France assistant coach William Servat said on Tuesday Antoine Dupont missing the Nations Championship was a "shame" after the superstar scrum-half withdraw from the July campaign with a calf injury.
Dupont was due to join Les Bleus' squad in Australia earlier this week but was forced to pull out after a niggle suffered playing for Toulouse.
The 29-year-old was one of nine players added to the set-up after Saturday's Top 14 final, where Toulouse held on to edge Montpellier 28-20.
The 2024 Olympic sevens gold medallist last played a test in the southern hemisphere nine years ago due to a clash with the Top 14 season.
"I would have liked for him to be present, like a lot of important players for us," Servat told reporters.
"But the biggest shame is for the players.
"To not have a chance to compete in the competition in the southern hemisphere, it's a missed chance.
"These trips make men.
"Antoine made the choice to come.
"It was a big choice for France.
"It was important to see that the captain wanted to be present, with his troops, which is one year from the World Cup in Australia," 48-year-old Servat said.
Dupont was replaced in the squad by club teammate Paul Graou, but only one of the nine additional players will be considered for Saturday's Nations Championship opener with New Zealand in Christchurch.
Hooker Peato Mauvaka will compete with Maxime Lamothe and Barnabe Massa for a spot in the matchday 23.
The other eight extra squad members will remain in Australia to prepare to face the Wallabies on July 11 as they recover from the Top 14 decider.
"If you have a (hooker) withdrawal, you forfeit the game," Servat said.
"I don't think France forfeiting an international match would be the best.
"That's why we've equipped ourselves," the former France hooker added.
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