France have replaced injured lock Olivier Brouzet with Thibault Privat in their rugby World Cup squad and allowed utility back Pepito Elhorga to return home for a week following the death of his father, the team management said.

"We are deeply sorry to have to inform you that Pepito Elhorga's father died last night, so we've put him on a plane to Paris," team manager Jo Maso told a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on Monday.

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"He will be coming back at about 7o'clock on Sunday to be with the team for the semi-final against England."

Elhorga has only started one World Cup game, when France fielded a second-string side in their last group game against the United States, but he was usually on the bench as cover for the fullback and wing positions.

Maso said Privat would join the squad on Wednesday.

The 24 year-old lock, who moved from Beziers to Montferrand during the summer, has won seven caps, the last in March 2002 against Scotland.

He will replace former Northampton player Brouzet, who dislocated his shoulder in Sunday's 43-21 quarter-final win over Ireland.

The 30 year-old lock has been a regular for France since 1994, but, short of form after a series of injuries, he has been relegated to the bench since the start of the World Cup.

He is the second French player to be forced out of the tournament. Wing Xavier Garbajosa went home with a knee injury and was replaced by David Bory.

"Olivier would like to stay with us and we would be very happy to keep him, but he first has to ask for his Montferrand club's agreement," Maso said.

First-choice lock Jerome Thion, who had 21 stitches in his lip after the Ireland game, and centre Yannick Jauzion (bruised leg) are both expected to be fit for Sunday's semi-final against England.