A weight reinforcement for the XV of France. The third row Anthony Jelonch, who was seriously injured in the knee during the last Six Nations Tournament, will join the XV of France, currently training in Capbreton (Landes), announces Midi Olympique. The Toulousain – who resumed training this week with his Toulouse club – was closely followed by the staff of the Blues. He had repeated, from the start of his recovery, that he would be ready in time to compete in the World Cup.
At the end of July, William Servat, the coach of the tricolor forwards, was confident of a quick return from the Gers flanker. “We also regularly on the phone, we know exactly where he is. He has retouched his maximum speed thresholds. Fabien Galthié was just as optimistic about the recovery speed of his third wing line. “I found it more solid than usual. They are exceptional players, they have an extraordinary capacity for recovery. Anthony is already ahead,” he confided.
After its success on Saturday evening over Scotland (30-27) in Saint-Étienne, the XV of France is preparing in the Landes for the third of its four preparatory matches, next Saturday in Nantes, against Fiji. Before returning to training with the Blues, Anthony Jelonch, who has established himself in recent seasons as a part of the tricolor group, will have to pass a whole series of tests.
For Fabien Galthié and his staff, this return less than a month from the start of the World Cup (September 8-October 28) is excellent news since the infirmary was starting to fill up. François Cros, another Toulouse third line, has not yet played again this summer, due to hamstring pain. In the absence of Cros and Jelonch, the Rochelais Paul Boudehent made a remarkable debut in the France team, chaining two tenures against XV du Chardon.
