The competition weekends preceding the announcement of a list for a gathering of the XV of France are always trying for the selectors. This third day was no exception to this sad rule. While he must unveil the composition of his group of 42 for the preparation of the next Six-Nations, Wednesday, Fabien Galthié had already witnessed the knee injury of UBB full-back Romain Buros, in Exeter on Saturday, ahead of his TV. This Sunday, he probably continued to mistreat the armrests of his sofa when he learned of the injuries to his pillars Uini Atonio and Reda Wardi, affected respectively in the right knee and the ribs during the first period of the clash between La Rochelle and Leinster (14 -16).
The case of the first named is undoubtedly the most sensitive. If Ronan O’Gara avoided the subject by simply saying that he did not know “in what state” was the joint of the right pillar of Stade Rochelais and the XV of France – “it’s much too early to know pronounce” – Dillyn Leyds had slipped a few minutes before that it didn’t sound “right”.
Where will Tatafu be?
Uini Atonio limped out. “He’s a little different,” tried to reassure Ronan O’Gara, who hopes for a positive outcome. He is not the only one. Prolonged unavailability would necessarily be detrimental for the Blues. In any case, it would undermine the potential in a position where Bayonnais Tevita Tatafu has still not resumed since his injury against the All Blacks during the November tour. The latter resumed training last week, and must begin the competition next Sunday against the English Gloucester in the Challenge Cup.
Will he be ready to face Wales on January 31 in Paris? This is obviously not the opinion, nor the wish, of his club manager Grégory Patat. Fabien Galthié can count on Georges-Henri Colombe. But there are not many certainties.
On the left of the first line, the unavailability of Reda Wardi would also be unfortunate. She is not yet certain, although Ronan O’Gara estimated that cartilage problems in the ribs were often synonymous with an absence of “three weeks”. In this position, Jean-Baptiste Gros has still not returned. Cyril Baille played a second match against the Durban Sharks on Saturday.
France
