France’s national rugby team faces a growing injury crisis as Toulouse’s 31-19 Investec Champions Cup win over Bath exacted a heavy toll, with lock Emmanuel Meafou joining the list of casualties. Following the devastating news of flanker Anthony Jelonch being ruled out of the Guinness Six Nations with an ACL injury, Meafou sustained a knee injury in the same match, as reported by French outlet L’Equipe.
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Unlike Jelonch, Meafou’s injury is expected to sideline him for the opening match of the Championship, where Les Bleus are set to host Ireland at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. While it’s just the first match, recent history suggests the encounter could be crucial in defining the Championship’s trajectory.
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Despite being named in France’s Six Nations squad last week, Meafou did not join the team at their training base in Marcoussis today, a notable absence noted by L’Equipe. The 145kg second-row, who became a French citizen last year after being born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, was on the cusp of winning his first cap for France against the reigning champions.
The 25-year-old showcased his potential with a statement try-scoring performance against Bath in the Champions Cup, further elevating his standing in Fabien Gatlhie’s considerations. However, Meafou’s debut may be delayed until at least the trip to Murrayfield a week later for the match against Scotland.
Toulouse’s victory secured top seeding in the round of 16, where they are slated to host Racing 92 in April. As France navigates the challenges posed by mounting injuries, the team’s depth and resilience will be put to the test in the upcoming Six Nations campaign, with key players like Meafou facing a race against time to regain fitness and contribute to their title aspirations.
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