Six Nations: Absent from training in Toulouse, Meafou is uncertain against Ireland

International second row Emmanuel Meafou , victim of a lung infection, was not present at Stade Toulousain training on Monday, less than two weeks before the trip to Ireland, and will undergo tests, according to a source close to the club. The colossal forward (2.03 m, 145 kg) had been left out of the group that left to sweep Italy on Sunday (73-24) by Fabien Galthié's staff, due to a lung infection.

The second row (26 years old, 7 caps) even had to be hospitalized in Toulouse for treatment, and will undergo tests at the beginning of the week, which will determine the duration of his unavailability. His presence therefore seems compromised for the crucial trip to Dublin on Saturday March 8, where the Blues will have to win to hope to win the Six Nations Tournament.

In any case, Meafou was not present during the Stade Toulousain training session on Monday afternoon, where the internationals who won in Rome on Sunday were also missing.

Romain Ntamack, who is once again applying for a place with the French XV after serving his suspension for a dangerous tackle against Wales in the opening round of the Tournament, was present. The fly-half could return to the pitch on Saturday when they host Vannes in the Top 14, unless he is one of the 19 players protected by the FFR, whose identity should be revealed on Monday evening. Toulouse, the league leader, should recover Scottish full-back Blair Kinghorn, while Italian Ange Capuozzo, beaten by France on Sunday, will return to Toulouse this week. Toulouse won comfortably on Saturday evening during the 17th day of the Top 14 against Bayonne (41-6) but lost their young centre Paul Costes who went off with a knee injury in the 21st minute. He is expected to be out for three to six weeks, while after the host of Vannes, the Top 14 will take a break until 22 March.