Paul Willemse definitely has a difficult relationship with the World Cup, he who had already missed the 2019 edition in Japan because of a groin injury contracted just before the summer preparation camp could also miss the next one. .
According to information revealed by RMC that we are able to confirm, the second line of the Blues was actually injured this week on the facilities of his Montpellier club by following the distance training program concocted by the staff of the Blues . The MHR player would suffer from a tear in his thigh deep enough to prevent him from applying for the start of the World Cup – the Blues will challenge New Zealand next Friday at the start of the competition – and even encourage the staff to consider his package for the entire duration of the competition.
Bastien Chalureau to replace him
It is obviously a new blow for the tricolor coaching which must already deal with the package of the Toulouse opener Romain Ntamack (rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee) and the injuries of the left pillar Cyril Baille (calf) and the three-quarter center Jonathan Danty (hamstrings).
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced Friday afternoon that Willemse was replaced in the group of 33 by Bastien Chalureau (31, 6 caps), who was among the 42 players invited to prepare for this World Cup during summer. Paul Willemse joins the list of ten players on hold.
It is therefore very likely with the Cameron Woki-Thibaud Flament team on the second line that the French team will face the All Blacks next Friday evening at the Stade de France (9:15 p.m.).
