The third row of Toulouse and the XV of France Anthony Jelonch, injured in the right knee, had to withdraw from the Six Nations Tournament, AFP learned on Monday from a source close to the player, confirming information from the daily L’Équipe. Jelonch (27 years old, 29 caps) injured his cruciate ligaments during Stade Toulouse’s victory over Bath (31-19) on Sunday in the Champions Cup, trying to tackle an opponent, shortly before starting time. game.
“He felt his knee move”
He didn’t get up immediately, but the third row was able to return to the bench and it was difficult to imagine that his injury was so serious. After the match, however, doubt and negative waves invaded his trainer Ugo Mola, who described the situation as follows: “He felt his knee move. We will wait for the exams. We preferred not to take any risks. J “I dare hope that we don’t go further than a somewhat innocuous feeling.” A rupture of the cruciate ligaments is now feared. This diagnosis of the worst, if it is confirmed with the extensive examinations that the player must undergo, could mean a premature end to the season.
And a huge blow, with the bad impression that history is repeating itself at Jelonch’s expense. Because, last year, at the end of February, it was the left knee which bent, with rupture of the cruciates, during a match of the Six Nations Tournament against Scotland. The former Castres man embarked on a six-month race against the clock to participate in the World Cup. A bet won for the Gersois, lined up from the start for the second match of the competition on September 14 against Uruguay.
His absence in the Tournament will be detrimental to the Blues, because he applied for the starting XV. It will have to be filled by Fabien Galthié, looking for a replacement for his group of 34. France will face Ireland on February 2 in Marseille, in the opening match.