response in June for Emmanuel Meafou, Anthony Jelonch “in advance”, announces Fabien Galthié

The coach of the XV of France, Fabien Galthié, explained, Tuesday, May 16, to wait for a response in June from World Rugby on the eligibility of the powerful second line Emmanuel Meafou, of Australian nationality. His Toulouse teammate Anthony Jelonch, seriously injured in a knee, is according to him “in advance” in his rehabilitation.

“We were promised an answer in mid-June to find out if we will be able to capture Emmanuel Meafou and make him selectable on the preparation”explained Galthié during a press conference in Montgesty (Lot), his home village, less than four months from the World Cup in France (September 8-October 28). “A procedure has been launched with World Rugby. The file is being studied”he specified.

Arrived at the end of 2018 in Toulouse, the colossus (2.03 m, 145 kg) of Australian origin, who wishes to play for France, does not currently meet the eligibility criteria of the governing body of world rugby (five years of residence in the country). The tricolor staff had nevertheless summoned him to Marcoussis before the last match of the Six Nations Tournament against Wales in March so that he could familiarize himself with the methods and the environment of the Blues.

“Everything is going very well” for Jelonch

His teammate at Stade Toulouse Anthony Jelonch, operated on in early March after suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Scotland, has since started a race against time in order to be restored in time for the World Cup.

“He is following a rehabilitation program, which is appropriate. Everything is going very well”reassured Galthié, who had made the Gers third line his captain during the Blues’ tour of Australia in the summer of 2021. “As they are exceptional players, they have an exceptional capacity for recovery and they are already ahead”he added. “The surgeon does not understand what is happening with Anthony Jelonch”.