XV of France: Roumat called to compensate for Jelonch’s package

One Toulouse resident replaces another. Forfeited for the Six Nations Tournament after his knee injury sustained during the victory against Bath on Sunday in the Champions Cup (31-19), Anthony Jelonch was replaced in the French XV group by his teammate Alexandre Roumat.

The former UBB third row, 26, will join the group which launched its preparation for the Tournament this Monday in Marcoussis and for the opening match against Ireland on Friday February 2 in Marseille. He has already been called up to an extended group with the Blues but has not yet made any selections.

Jelonch (27 years old, 29 caps) injured his cruciate ligaments while trying to tackle an opponent, shortly before the hour mark. He did not get up immediately, but the third row was able to return to the bench and he was so it's hard to imagine that his injury was so serious.

After the match, however, doubt and negative waves invaded his trainer Ugo Mola, who described the situation as follows: “He felt his knee move. We're going to wait for the exams. We preferred not to take any risks. I dare to hope that we don’t go further than a somewhat innocuous feeling.”

A rupture of the cruciate ligaments is now feared. This diagnosis of the worst, if it is confirmed with the extensive examinations that the player must undergo, could mean a premature end to the season.

And a huge blow, with the bad impression that history is repeating itself at Jelonch's expense. Because, last year, at the end of February, it was the left knee which bent, with rupture of the cruciates, during a match of the Six Nations Tournament against Scotland.

The former Castres man embarked on a six-month race against the clock to participate in the World Cup. A bet won for the Gersois, lined up from the start for the second match of the competition on September 14 against Uruguay.