Injured Jelonch included in France's Rugby World Cup squad

Tue, Aug 22, 2023, 1:13 AM
AFP
by AFP
Flanker Anthony Jelonch was named in host nation France's Rugby World Cup squad despite being under an injury cloud. Photo: Getty Images
Flanker Anthony Jelonch was named in host nation France's Rugby World Cup squad despite being under an injury cloud. Photo: Getty Images

Flanker Anthony Jelonch was named in host nation France's Rugby World Cup squad by head coach Fabien Galthie on Monday despite suffering from a serious knee injury.

Jelonch, 27, made the last of his 25 Test appearances in February when he ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in the Six Nations victory over Scotland.

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Les Bleus open the World Cup by facing three-time winners New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris on September 8.

They then play Uruguay six days later, Namibia on September 21 and end their Pool A campaign against Italy on October 6.

"Anthony has worked a lot to get back to where he is now," Galthie told TF1.

"He's not fit now but we think he will be back to his best by mid-September."

Jelonch's club teammate, prop Cyril Baille, is also included but is suffering from a calf issue. Galthie also expects him to return by the middle of next month.

Last week, France suffered a setback when first-choice fly-half Romain Ntamack was ruled out of the tournament with a serious knee injury.

Ex-France captain Galthie has chosen not to pick a third No. 10 with full-back Thomas Ramos able to cover Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Hastoy.

Youngster Louis Bielle-Biarrey as well as two-time Champions Cup winner Paul Boudehent also get the nod, despite only making their Test debuts earlier this month.

- 11 back-up players -

Scrum-half Baptiste Serin, flanker Dylan Cretin as well as experienced full-back Brice Dulin, who captained the side in the loss in Scotland on August 5 miss out but will remain as back-up to the squad.

France end their World Cup preparations by welcoming Australia to Paris on Sunday.

France squad for the Rugby World Cup (September 8-October 28) announced on Monday:

Props: Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Reda Wardi (La Rochelle), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Sipili Falatea (Bordeaux-Begles)

Hookers: Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle)

Locks: Thibaud Flament (Toulouse), Paul Willemse (Montpellier), Romain Taofifenua (Lyon), Cameron Woki (Racing 92)

Back row: Gregory Alldritt, Paul Boudehent (both La Rochelle), Francois Cros (Toulouse), Sekou Macalou (Stade Francais), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse)

Scrum-halves: Antoine Dupont (Toulouse, capt), Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Begles), Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon) 

Fly-halves: Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles), Antoine Hastoy (La Rochelle)

Wings: Damian Penaud (Bordeaux-Begles), Gabin Villiere (Toulon), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Begles)

Centres: Gael Fickou (Racing 92), Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier), Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Begles) 

Full-backs: Thomas Ramos (Toulouse), Melvyn Jaminet (Toulouse)

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