Young French rugby try-scoring sensation Teddy Thomas’s indiscretion has cost him a place in the team at the Stade de France on Saturday and no-one will be more relieved than opponents Argentina.

The 21-year-old Racing-Metro winger made a brilliant start to his international career these past two weeks, scoring a hat-trick of tries on his debut against Fiji before adding a dazzling individual five-pointer against Australia last week.

And Argentina would have been quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing the powerful and speedy left wing, until he cost himself a starting berth by turning up two hours late for a training session on Wednesday night.

Experienced Toulouse back Maxime Medard is certainly no poor-man’s replacement, having scored 11 tries in 40 international appearances.

But there is a difference between Medard and a young, fearless, in-form player brimming with confidence and riding a wave of success.

Thomas would have been a potent weapon against Argentina.

France have actually won three of the past four meetings between the sides but between 2002 and 2007, Les Bleus were defeated six times out of seven, including three times on home soil — two of those coming at the 2007 World Cup.

Recalled hooker Benjamin Kayser, who came off the bench in the wins over Fiji and Australia, says it’s important not to underestimate Argentina.

France have a history of slipping up against the Pumas just after taking a supposedly bigger scalp.

In 2004 they beat the Australian tourists only to then lose at home to Argentina while they beat the All Blacks in the quarter-finals of the 2007 World Cup, only to fall twice to the Pumas.

Yet Kayser says their recent run — which comes during a troubled period under coach Philippe Saint-Andre, whose side has won only 13 out of 31 internationals under his guidance — has boosted confidence.

“We’re delighted to finally taste some victories, that’s not negligible, in a group dynamic it’s hugely important,” said the 30-year-old Clermont front-rower.

“But now, before we can assess where we are, we have to get through this weekend’s match because if we get a slap in the face, that will ruin the good feeling from the last two weeks.”