France lose South African lock in RWC injury hammer blow

France were dealt a huge blow to their hopes of finally winning the Rugby World Cup.

The Bookmakers have France among the favourites but injuries have hit the camp hard.

ALSO READ: Is this the solution to England’s problems?

South African lock ruled out for France

In the latest blow to the squad South African lock Paul Willemse was ruled out of contention for the Rugby World Cup with injury.

France have already lost a number of notable players including fly-half Romain Ntamack.

ALSO READ: Eddie Jones applauds Springboks’ 7-1 Bomb Squad bench split

Meanwhile star centre Jonathan Danty sustained a hamstring injury and prop Cyril Baille is also in doubt for the Rugby World Cup opener against the All Blacks.

Willemse’s absence for the competition has been verified by France Rugby.

ALSO READ: Who is RWC referee Mathieu Raynal?

As the players were on break before the event, the lock was injured while completing the workout regimen that the coaches had prescribed.

Paul Willemse misses out

ALSO READ: Why the Springboks have to go back to the drawing board

Willemse has aggravated the same thigh injury that has bothered him in prior seasons.

He has had a number of muscular problems over the last year, which prevented him from playing more than ten Top 14 games for Montpellier last season and prevented him from participating in France’s November internationals.

In preparation for the tournament’s opening on the following Friday, the players will reassemble in Paris on Saturday.

Bastien Chalureau, a teammate from Montpellier, has taken Willemse’s position in the 33-man roster. 

France Rugby World Cup squad 2023

Looseheads

Cyril Baille (29, Toulouse)

Jean-Baptiste Gros (24, Toulon)

Reda Wardi (28, La Rochelle)

Tightheads

Dorian Aldegheri (30, Toulouse)

Uini Atonio (33, La Rochelle)

Sipili Falatea (26, Bordeaux-Bègles)

Hookers

Pierre Bourgarit (25, La Rochelle)

Julien Marchand (28, Toulouse)

Peato Mauvaka (26, Toulouse)

Locks

Thibaud Flament (26, Toulouse)

Romain Taofifenua (32, Lyon)

Bastien Chalureau (31, Montpellier)

Cameron Woki (24, Racing 92)

Back-row

Grégory Alldritt (26, La Rochelle)

Paul Boudehent (23, La Rochelle)

François Cros (29, Toulouse)

Anthony Jelonch (27, Toulouse)

Sekou Macalou (28, Stade Français)

Charles Ollivon (30, Toulon)

Scrum-half

Baptiste Couilloud (26, Lyon)

Antoine Dupont (26, Toulouse, Captain)

Maxime Lucu (30, Bordeaux-Bègles)

Fly-half

Antoine Hastoy (26, La Rochelle)

Matthieu Jalibert (24, Bordeaux-Bègles)

Centre

Jonathan Danty (30, La Rochelle)

Gaël Fickou (29, Racing 92)

Yoram Moefana (23, Bordeaux-Bègles)

Arthur Vincent (23, Montpellier)

Wingers

Louis Bielle-Biarrey (20, Bordeaux-Bègles)

Damian Penaud (26, Bordeaux-Bègles)

Gabin Villière (27, Toulon)

Full-backs

Melvyn Jaminet (24, Toulouse)

Thomas Ramos (28, Toulouse)