The second row of the French XV, Paul Willemse, was sent off on Friday at the half-hour mark against Ireland, after receiving a yellow card then a second (transformed into red after use of the bunker). This Tuesday, the Montpellier player received a four-week suspension, which can be reduced to three weeks if he attends a Wotrld Rugby workshop on dangerous tackles.
Paul Willemse had shown a serious lack of discernment. First for a clearing in the face of pillar Andrew Porter after nine minutes of play. Then, around twenty minutes later, for a shoulder-to-head charge on third-row Caelan Doris (32nd). He initially received a 4 and 3 week suspension for his two citations. But the commission said it would be “disproportionate” for the sanctions to add up, so they will take place simultaneously.
He will therefore miss the second match of the Tournament on Saturday against Scotland, then the MHR match against Racing 92. His third match of suspension will concern either the Montpellier-Bayonne match, or the third match of the Six Nations, against Italy. in Lille.
In his absence, it is Cameron Woki who should start at Murrayfield, according to the first indications during training this Tuesday at Marcoussis. Fabien Galthié must deal in the second row with injuries to Toulouse’s Thibaud Flament (foot) and Emmanuel Meafou (knee) as well as Lyon’s Romain Taofifenua (leg).
