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Galthie’s France suffer another injury setback in the forwards
By Liam Heagney
Less than a week after it emerged that Francois Cros has been sidelined from training at Marcoussis, it has been confirmed that France are dealing with a second injury headache as Romain Taofifenua is now also currently out of action.
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The French, who open the upcoming Rugby World Cup versus the All Blacks in Paris on September 8, are preparing to play their first warm-up match this Saturday away to Scotland in Edinburgh.
Two more matches are scheduled before they will name their 33-strong squad for the finals on August 21 but those plans now have injuries issues to factor in.
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Cros is still dealing with an adductor injury and he has now been joined in rehabilitation by Taofifenua, who is coping with hamstring trouble and isn’t expected to play before Galthie names his World Cup squad.
A medical bulletin carried by L’Equipe read: “The staff of the France team announced on Wednesday that second row Romain Taofifenua suffered a left hamstring injury that requires two to three weeks of adapted care. The Lyonnais nevertheless remains in the group currently in training camp in Marcoussis.
“The goal is to reassess the injury within three weeks. The French staff wants to give some time to let the affected area heal. Taofifenua is therefore not expected to play again before the announcement of the final list of 33 players selected for the World Cup on August 21.
“Francois Cros’ injury is evolving in a very positive way. The Toulouse flanker has resumed physical activity on the bike, which is a rather good sign. We may be able to see him on the pitch again after the return match against Scotland on August 12, but it will depend on his progress.
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“Back row Anthony Jelonch has finished his weeks of rehabilitation at Capbreton. The victim last February of a cruciate knee ligament rupture has returned to Toulouse where he is training with his club.”
Shame Meafou can't step in and show his skills but could this mean that Posolo Tuilagi might be drafted into the wider squad? More likely to be Bastien Chalureau but it would be great to see another Tuilagi at the world cup in the same year the guy won the u20s two years younger than the rest of that group. France have incredible depth in every position and with Flamand, Willemse, Chalureau and Woki they're not going to be too worried about Tau being unavailable.