For various reasons, Gonzalo Canale, Martin Castrogiovanni, Paul Griffen, Marco Ongaro, Antonio Pavanello and Josh Sole are all unavailable after a training get-together in Parma last weekend.

But should they remain out of contention, Berbizier is confident he has players who can step in when called upon and perform for the national team.

Last weekends meeting at Parma was a good one, the French legend said.

We had six players withdraw for different reasons, but that has also happened before.

In June, for the Argentina and Australia summer Test matches, we lost so many players for injury or for a different reason, but we were still able to play great rugby.

I'm always confident about my team, he added. I know I have about 40-45 players to choose from so I'm always positive about training sessions or even playing games.

There is always an opportunity for any player, even the youngest ones, so whoever replaces a first-team player gives me faith and calmness.

Also, there is plenty of time before the three Test matches in November, against Tonga (12th), Argentina (19th) and Fiji (26th), so our medical staff and their clubs' will be able to get these players into great shape.''