Request rejected by World Rugby: Emmanuel Meafou will not play the World Cup with the XV of France (media source)

The end of the fantasy. According to La Dépêche du Midi And The Team this Saturday, Emmanuel Meafou will not be able to participate in the 2023 World Cup with the XV of France. The staff of the Blues had openly hoped since January to obtain their eligibility for the World Cup, which will be held in France from September 8 to October 28, to which World Rugby responded negatively, according to our colleagues.

Meafou, injured for an estimated two months, was warned of the decision while on vacation in Australia, reports The Midi Dispatch. The second line of Toulouse, born in New Zealand, kept a hope of being in the game with the men of Fabien Galthié due to a legal vacuum, around an evolution of the conditions to be fulfilled to represent a nation.

world Cup

Should we write off Meafou?

06/22/2023 At 08:50

Emmanuel Meafou during the final of the Top 14 2022/2023

Credit: Imago

Fatal rule change

The number of consecutive months of residence in a country necessary to defend its colors has increased from 36 to 60 months, “after the deadline of December 31, 2021”, states the international federation. Arrived in France in December 2018, Meafou was therefore virtually selectable three years later – but in a period without an international match, possible cause of World Rugby’s refusal – before losing this status on January 1, 2022 with the change in regulations.

The argument of an eligibility which would be valid forever if it was so even for one day has therefore, it seems, not been heard. The failure of this request for exemption – which was not confirmed by either World Rugby or the FFF on Saturday evening – means that the colossus (2.03m, 145kg) will be selectable “only” from the 6 Nations Tournament. 2024.

Lafond: “Ntamack, it’s Zorro!”

Rugby

Lafond: “Eight years in a country before playing with the national team, that would calm everyone down”

01/23/2023 At 2:23 PM

Top 14

“In rugby, there are not only oxen, nags, wild boars”

09/26/2022 At 1:49 PM

source site