2024-01-03 02:07:18
Very often called up since the start of Fabien Galthié’s mandate, Jean-Baptiste Gros (27 caps) should miss the next Six Nations Tournament. The left pillar, injured in the neck before the holidays, will be operated on soon. According to Midi Olympique, his absence could extend up to four months. RC Toulon, his club, for its part announced that the official duration would be announced after the surgical intervention.
Gros was the third left pillar in the hierarchy of the Blues at the last World Cup, behind Cyril Baille and Reda Wardi. He played two group matches there, against New Zealand and Uruguay, before paying the price for Baille’s return from injury. The Toulonnais had already missed the 2023 Tournament due to a fractured radius.
If he has never been considered a permanent starter, the left-hander, very skillful in the scrum, has often been used as a “finisher”. If his absence is confirmed, it would be added to that of Antoine Dupont, who will prepare for the Olympic Games with the French 7s team. Rodrigue Neti (Toulouse), Sébastien Taofifenua (Lyon), Clément Castets (Stade Français) or Ugo Boniface (Bordeaux-Bègles) could replace Jean-Baptiste Gros in the group of 34 players to prepare for the Tournament. The Blues will play their first match on February 2 against Ireland, in Marseille.
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