XV of France: Montpellier Paul Willemse called to replace Emmanuel Meafou, injured and forfeited for the first match of the Tournament

Paul Willemse convoqué avec le XV de France pour préparer le Tournoi des 6 Nations. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Le deuxième ligne du MHR Paul Willemse (31 ans, 31 sélections) a été convoqué dans le groupe des 34 Français à préparer le Tournoi des VI Nations (premier match le 2 février, 21h, contre l'Irlande). Le Montpelliérain remplace Emmanuel Meafou.

As expected, the sprained knee of Toulouse second row Emmanuel Meafou (25 years old, 2.03m, 140 kg) forces the staff of the XV of France to recall Paul Willemse. The Montpellier native (31 years old, 31 caps) joins the group of 34 players who will prepare for the match against Ireland next Friday, February 2, indicated the French Rugby Federation this Monday, January 22.

Meafou, announced as the new colossus of the French pack since his eligibility for selection in November 2023, was injured with his club in the Champions Cup. It was during the victory in Bath (31-19). "It's a level 2 sprain", assures coach Fabien Galthié, without however specifying the duration of unavailability.

Willemse found

A hard blow for the French staff, who also learned of the end of the season from another Toulouse: Anthony Jelonch. The Gersois (27 years old, 30 caps) will undergo surgery for a rupture of the cruciate ligament in his right knee, almost eleven months after the operation on his left knee for the same injury. Jelonch was replaced in the group by his club teammate Alexandre Roumat.

Also read: RUGBY. As often, Paul becomes Willemse again a few weeks before the start of the Six Nations Tournament

For Paul Willemse, this call is a reward. After eighteen months of physical problems (4 hamstring tears, partial rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee) and a missed World Cup, the second row has become very efficient again at club level in recent years. weeks. His performance in Treviso last weekend (27-19 defeat) demonstrated this again.

𝗦𝗶𝘅 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 👋 La préparation du match contre l’Irlande a débuté aujourd’hui à Marcoussis 🔥 #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/hPrkLndmlU

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) January 22, 2024

"I'm like a pick-up truck. It takes time for the engine to warm up to start, he quips today. The pick-up from Pretoria, not initially selected in Blue, could quickly be asked to drive the blue truck for the Tournament.