XV de France: Roumat replaces Jelonch, Meafou ruled out for the first match

After further examinations confirmed that Toulouse flanker Anthony Jelonch suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee on Sunday, ruling him out for the upcoming Six Nations tournament, Alexandre Roumat has been called up as his replacement. Additionally, Toulouse second-row Emmanuel Meafou, who also sustained a knee injury against Bath, will miss the match against Ireland.

Alexandre Roumat will replace Anthony Jelonch in Fabien Galthié's squad, while Emmanuel Meafou will be unable to participate in the opening match. Galthié confirmed that Jelonch's injury would prematurely end his season after suffering a serious knee injury during Toulouse's victory over Bath in the Champions Cup (31-19). The name of the player who will fill the absence of the French champions' flanker in the squad preparing for the Six Nations tournament (February 2 to March 16) has been decided. Once again facing the need for surgery and likely to wait until next season to return to competition, Jelonch has been forced to withdraw. This absence poses a significant setback for the former Castres player, both in the squad and in the starting XV, where the French coach will need to find a way to compensate for the absence of the Toulouse player who returned to the national team in September to participate in the second match of the World Cup against Uruguay.

Debut in Les Bleus delayed for Meafou

Galthié has already found a replacement for the unfortunate Jelonch. Judicaël Cancoriet, Joan Tanga, Alexandre Roumat, and Sekou Macalou were all potential candidates. Roumat, Jelonch's teammate, was ultimately chosen over his three competitors. Although he has been present for several gatherings, Olivier Roumat's son has yet to earn his first cap. He will join the 32 other players called up by Galthié to prepare for the opening match on February 2 in Marseille against Ireland. However, Emmanuel Meafou will miss the match. Like Jelonch, but apparently less severe, the Toulouse second-row injured his knee during the weekend's European Cup match against Bath. Despite being named man of the match, the Australian-born player had to leave the field a little over five minutes before the end after sustaining a blow. The French coaching staff announced that Meafou, whose expected recovery time is still unknown, did not join the team at Marcoussis on Monday as planned. His first steps with the French national team will be delayed.

The 33 players chosen to prepare for the opening match against Ireland (after the withdrawals of Jelonch and Meafou):

• Props: Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Thomas Laclayat (Racing)
• Hookers: Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Gaëtan Barlot (Castres)
• Looseheads: Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Reda Wardi (La Rochelle), Sébastien Taofifenua (Lyon)
• Locks: Cameron Woki (Racing), Romain Taofifenua (Lyon), Paul Gabrillagues (Stade Français), Matthias Halagahu (Toulon)
• Back-row: François Cros (Toulouse), Alexandre Roumat (Toulouse), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Esteban Abadie (Toulon), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle)
• Scrum-halves: Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Bègles), Nolann Le Garrec (Racing)
• Fly-halves: Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Bègles), Antoine Gibert (Racing)
• Centres: Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle), Gaël Fickou (Racing), Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Bègles), Nicolas Depoortere (Bordeaux-Bègles), Émilien Gailleton (Pau)
• Wings: Damian Penaud (Bordeaux-Bègles), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Bègles), Matthis Lebel (Toulouse)
• Fullbacks: Thomas Ramos (Toulouse), Melvyn Jaminet (Toulon)