France’s chances of winning the Rugby World Cup for the first time were dealt a devastating blow.During their pre-World Cup friendly rugby union international encounter on August 19, 2023 at The Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, western France, French locks Paul Willemse (TOP) and Florian Verhaeghe (FRONT) make a tackle on Fijian number eight Viliame Mata (C). (Image by AFP / LOIC VENANCE)
France Rugby has confirmed Willemse’s absence from the tournament.
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The lock was hurt during the team’s pregame warmup while they were on break before the big game.
Sadly, Paul Willemse gets left out.
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The thigh issue that has plagued Willemse in previous years has flared up again.
Muscular issues have plagued him for the past year, limiting him to just ten appearances for Montpellier in the Top 14 last season and keeping him out of France’s November internationals.
The participants will reconvene in Paris on Saturday ahead of the tournament’s Friday start.
Willemse’s spot on the 33-man roster has been filled by Montpellier teammate Bastien Chalureau.
France’s World Cup Rugby Team of 2023
Looseheads
C. Baille, Cyril (29, Toulouse).
Toulon’s 24-year-old Jean-Baptiste Gros
La Rochelle native Reda Wardi, age 28.
Tightheads
Dorian Aldegheri, age 30 (Tours, France).
La Rochelle native Uini Atonio, 33, has been arrested.
26-year-old Bordeaux-Bègles native Sipili Falatea
Hookers
25-year-old Pierre Bourgarit of La Rochelle
27-year-old Toulon native Julien Marchand
26-year-old Toulon native Peato Mauvaka
Locks
26-year-old Thibaud Flament of Toulouse
A 32-year-old native of Lyon, France named Romain Taofifenua
31-year-old Montpellier native Bastien Chalureau
24 year old Cameron Woki of Racing 92
Back-row
26-year-old La Rochelle native Grégory Alldritt
23-year-old Paul Boudehent of La Rochelle
François Cros, age 29 (from Toulouse).
Originally from Toulouse, 27-year-old Anthony Jelonch
Stade Français’ 28-year-old Sekou Macalou.
The age-30 Toulon native Charles Ollivon
Scrum-half
26-year-old Baptiste Couilloud of Lyon
Antoine Dupont, a 26-year-old captain from Toulouse.
Thirty-year-old Maxime Lucu of Bordeaux-Bègles
Fly-half
26-year-old Antoine Hastoy of La Rochelle
24-year-old Bordeaux-Bègles native Matthieu Jalibert
Centre
Jeremy Danty, 30, from La Rochelle
Fickou Gael (29, Racing 92)
23-year-old Yoram Moefana of Bordeaux-Bègles
23-year-old Arturo Vincent of Montpellier
Wingers
The 20-year-old from Bordeaux-Bègles, Louis Bielle-Biarrey
26-year-old Bordeaux-Bègles native Damian Penaud
A 27-year-old member of the Toulon squad named Gabin Villière.
Full-backs
Toulouse native Melvyn Jaminet (age 24)
Located in Toulouse, Thomas Ramos (28 years old)
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