France's Anthony Jelonch has been ruled out of the upcoming Six Nations tournament due to a right knee injury, according to coach Fabien Galthie. The Toulouse flanker suffered a ruptured knee ligament during a Champions Cup win over Bath. Jelonch, who captained France in the absence of Antoine Dupont during last year's Rugby World Cup, had been set to feature in the team's Six Nations opener against Ireland. He has been replaced in the squad by Alexandre Roumat, the son of former French forward Olivier Roumat.
Galthie expressed his disappointment for Jelonch, wishing him the best in his recovery. Jelonch had previously overcome a similar knee injury to play in the World Cup, showcasing his determination and resilience. His absence will be felt by the French team, as he has been a key player and leader on the field.
In addition to Jelonch, Toulouse's Emmanuel Meafou has also been ruled out of the game against Ireland. Meafou, a New Zealand-born lock who qualifies for France on residency grounds, suffered a grade two knee sprain during the victory over Bath. Galthie stated that Meafou's injury will keep him out for an extended period of time, although the exact duration is yet to be determined.
Paul Willemse has been called up to replace Meafou in the squad. The experienced South Africa-born lock missed out on the World Cup due to injury but has been a valuable player for Galthie's team since his debut in 2019. Willemse will join Cameron Woki, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Gabrillagues, and Matthias Halagahu as the second-row options in the squad.
With the absence of Jelonch and Meafou, France will need to make adjustments to their lineup for the game against Ireland. The team is also without scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who is training with France's seven-a-side squad for the Paris Olympics this summer. Despite these setbacks, Galthie and his coaching staff will be working hard to select a strong team and prepare them for the challenges of the Six Nations tournament.
France will announce their team to play Ireland on January 31, and fans will eagerly await the lineup as they anticipate an exciting and competitive tournament.