As France begin their preparations for the World Cup in New Zealand, coach Marc Lievremont has been left ruing the attritional nature of the French domestic game.

Perpignan pair centre Aurelien Rougerie (foot) and prop Thomas Domingo (knee) reported late for the start of this week's training session and Lievremont also faces injuries to other key players such as No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy (foot) and lock Romain Millo-Chluski (Achilles).

"The restricting thing is that we have players who have turned up a little bit beaten up after their Top 14 season," Lievremont told a press conference at the national team's training centre in Marcoussis on Thursday.

"I am thinking of Imanol Harinordoquy, who has acute aponeurositis that will be treated with shock waves. We hope he will be fine in a few days.

"There is also the problem of Romain Millo-Chluski who is suffering from tendonitis in his Achilles.

"As for the rest, we had some great news about Fabien Barcella, Maxime Mermoz and Damien Traille, who are following the same programme as the others."

Prop Barcella has not played for almost a year because of a ruptured Achilles.

His Biarritz teammate Traille, a utility back, has been out of action since injuring a foot in April, while Perpignan centre Mermoz is coming back after damaging his left shoulder in January.

Hooker Dimitri Szarzewski, who has also been out injured since January with an Achilles injury, is expected to train with the team again after Thursday.

Lievremont also said he was optimistic about the progress of number one hooker William Servat (knee), flank Fulgence Ouedraogo and Rougerie and Domingo.

"They are all ahead of schedule," said Lievremont. "For sure they will be 100 percent fine for the second training session at Falgos [July 24 to 31].

"I am concerned about Fulgence Ouedraogo, who is still wearing a splint and is still not allowed to take part in any training activities."

Lievremont deflected the idea that after a poor season that saw France lose to England and Italy in the Six Nations championship, les Bleus would struggle in New Zealand.

"It is important to say that even after an awkward season, this is something else that is beginning," he said.

"This is a new adventure that began two days ago and that needs an investment and commitment from everyone involved.

"We cannot say the World Cup starts on September 10 (when France play Japan in their opening match) or at the quarter-finals because it starts now.

"We have started on four months of a sporting and human adventure which, I hope, will be magnificent."

Lievremont - who played in the 1999 World Cup final defeat by Australia - came under fire for some of his selections during the Six Nations but said he was not afraid of a player mutiny of the kind that derailed France's football team in Knysna at last year's World Cup in South Africa.

"No, every story is different. Each sport is different and I would certainly not want to start preaching. When it [Knysna] happened, a year ago, you did not hear me because I know that each situation is unique.

"The players know what happened. I have no fear from it. We can reconcile, I'm not worried, I know it will be OK."

France will play two warm-up matches against Ireland in August before Lievremont names his final 30-man squad.

AFP