The second row of the XV of France Paul Willemse was “preserved” during the training session of the Blues on Thursday, said performance director Thibault Giroud, more than a month from the World Cup.
“Regarding Paul, it is an adaptation. We didn’t want to put it on the first thirty minutes of the race to preserve it a bit. Then he went to the gym for a big litter session. We wanted to preserve it,” explained Giroud at a press conference.
Willemse (30, 28 caps) participated in part of Wednesday’s training session, ten days before facing Scotland, the first preparation match for the 2023 World Cup (September 8-October 28).
“As you know, for a year, Paul has had a lot of problems with his muscles, with his hamstrings. We try to manipulate the training process for some players. Including Paul. He did all the rugby and he overcompensated indoors after training,” he added.
This season, Willemse has only played thirteen games with the MHR, in all competitions, including nine as a starter, in particular due to a recurring thigh injury.
The XV of France, which must face New Zealand at the opening of the World Cup, will face Scotland twice (August 5 in Edinburgh then a week later in Saint-Etienne) before challenging Fiji (August 19 in Nantes ) then Australia (27 August at the Stade de France).
After two weeks in Monaco, the Blues are gathered at the Marcoussis national rugby center until August 3.
