VIDEO. France-Ireland: one gesture too many for Paul Willemse with the Blues ? “We can’t blame a player”

| February 3, 2024 | Sport | No Comments

VIDEO. France-Ireland: one gesture too many for Paul Willemse with the Blues ? “We can’t blame a player”

Paul Willemse a écopé d'un carton rouge après avoir reçu deux cartons jaunes contre les Irlandais. MAXPPP – Andrew Matthews

L'expulsion de Paul Willemse en première mi-temps de France-Irlande (17-38) a coûté cher aux Bleus pour la suite de la rencontre, ce vendredi 2 février.

It's hard to imagine the future state of your sofa. It is often on this one that he releases all his frustration when he cannot play with the Blues or with his club Montpellier. Or maybe his barbecue. There, over the next few days, the two risk charging.

Why ? Paul Willemse missed his return to the French team. Absent from the last World Cup due to a thigh injury when he was supposed to be the leader of the French pack, the Hérault second row (31 years old, 32 caps) wanted more than ever to prove that ;#39;he was still applying internationally. But his excess of envy was fatal to him.

Facing the Irish, the native of Pretoria overdosed on yellows in Marseille. A first in the 9th, for high tackle. A second, for the same reason, in the 32nd. Result: permanent exclusion. This is a red that stains. And which handicapped Fabien Galthié's men for the rest of the game, unable to respond to the perfect score of the men in Green. "The scenario of the match meant that we did not manage to get where we wanted. Not just because of the red card, but a lot nonetheless", assured the coach.

"We all came to him to console him in the locker room"

Professional misconduct at this level ? "No, I can't say that. He commits to defend the line, these are technical fouls. We know that contact to the head is punished very easily. There is nothing to say about the decision, replied Galthié to this question asked by a journalist at a press conference.

Out of solidarity, and unsurprisingly, the players of the XV of France did not overwhelm their second line, shot down on the edge of the pitch after his exit. "I think about Paul a lot, he is very sad. He had a lot to give to this jersey, it had been eating away at him for a while. We can't blame a player who wants to give everything for this jersey", assured captain Grégory Alldritt. However, the latter did not hide the difficulties of playing at 14: "It weighs. Players need to put in more effort. Everything is done in this sport so that we play at 15. The touch, the throws… But even at 14, we could have done better."

"We are like a family, solidarity is our watchword. And like in a family, everyone can make mistakes. Here, who hasn't done one ? It's part of life. We all came to him to console him in the locker room", added third row Paul Boudehent.

A dotted blue future…

Willemse had a lot to gain against the Irish. But also a lot to lose. This expulsion, linked to an excess of commitment, risks costing him dearly. Very expensive. 

Not initially selected in the group of 34, the Montpellier native was blocked by the emergence of the colossi Emmanuel Meafou (2.03m, 145 kg) and Posolo Tuilagi (1 .91m, 149kg). Without forgetting the retirement of Romain Taofifenua (2m, 135 kg). 

Also read: XV of France: from non-group to starter, what is the message sent by the staff to Paul Willemse ?

Faced with Meafou's loss (knee) and the staff's desire to preserve Tuilagi, Willemse was finally recalled and promoted to the starting position against the Clover XV. The opportunity to prove was great. The original South African missed it.

Finally, for the match against Scotland next Saturday, Fabien Galthié and their staff will find themselves without Paul Willemse, nor Emmanuel Meafou, nor Romain Taofifenua (infection). Time to throw Posolo Tuilagi in the cage ? 

The figure: 2

This is Paul Willemse's second red card with the XV of France. Before the one received against Ireland (17-38) this Friday February 2, the Montpellier had already been excluded on March 20, 2021 during a victory against Wales (32-30). It was in the 60th.

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