A blow for Emmanuel Meafou and the staff of the XV of France before the World Cup in France (September 8-October 28). The massive second line of Toulouse, of Australian origin, was injured during the final of the Top 14 won on Saturday evening against La Rochelle. According to information from L’Équipe, he should be out two months after being hit in the plantar fascia against the Maritimes.
The Toulousain has long been in the small papers of Fabien Galthié and his assistants, who are still awaiting a waiver from World Rugby for him to be eligible for the France team. But the Blues have not lost hope of summoning him, as Fabien Galthié has said and repeated. “We are still awaiting news from World Rugby and a decision, explained Galthié at the beginning of June. A lawyer from the FFR and his lawyer took all possible and necessary steps, we again made a follow-up at the start of the week. We wait. In our mind, it’s clear, we want to capture it.
Emmanuel Meafou was eligible for a month with the XV of France, in December 2021. However, the eligibility rules (5 years of residence) changed during this period, and the Stade Toulousain player had already lived the requested three years until then. The staff of the XV of France is counting on a derogation to be able to select the second line of 24 years during the preparation matches. This Wednesday, the coach of the Blues will reveal his expanded group of 42 players to prepare for the World Cup. A preparation in which Meafou should therefore not be able to participate…
