It’s not a big surprise but it’s still a gamble. Anthony Jelonch and Cyril Baille are well on the list of 33 men called up by Fabien Galthié to participate in the World Cup (September 8-October 28). There remained a small part of uncertainty around the two men, physically diminished.
“These are choices, very great players. Very important players in our history“, justified the coach of the Blues in the 1 p.m. of TF1. “The first criterion is that they are two rugby players of international level, and there is no discussion on that”, he said. he confirmed in the press conference that followed.
Only, the medical doubt persists. The Toulouse third line has not played a single minute on a rugby pitch since his big injury, almost five months ago. More recently, prop Cyril Baille was injured against Scotland in preparation. What to question his participation in the World Cup.
“The decision was taken with the analysis that we were able to do with the medical staff and the staff performance. It is a projection on a competition, we have almost a month of qualifying phases, the deadlines which have been set for recovery are consistent, continued the coach of the Blues. They won’t be available for the first game, certainly not for the second and third and most likely for the last game against Italy.”He [Jelonch] is not operational at all but we think he will return to his best level in mid-September, it’s the same for Cyril Baille“, he launched on TF1.
A bet, really?
For the staff of the Blues, the selection of Jelonch and Baille is a bet. That of counting on the restoration of two executives of the “four-year project” by Fabien Galthié and his team. On the other hand, if it turns out that they do not recover in time, there will be solutions.
“For Cyril, we have two left pillars, three right pillars including Dorian (Aldegheri) who can help out on the left”, explained the coach. Apart from the list, eleven players “waiting“, who participated in all the preparation, can be called at any time during the competition in the event of glitches, for example for Jelonch and Baille. “We’re counting on them, they’re ready to get on the bus“, wanted to remind Galthié.