Pelous out for Six Nations

Hopes that France’s captain Fabien Pelous would be back to play in the Six Nations have been dashed. He will, it seems, not be able to play till after the Six Nations is over.

Rugbyrama reports that the French team doctor, Thierry Hermerel has announced officially that Pelous will not be able to play till after the tournament but that he will “probably” recover later. The doctor said: “No risk will be taken.”

Pelous strained ligaments in his ankle on 4 January and every effort has been made to get him ready but the doctor has warned that the strain is as bad as a break and that, in the absence of an operation, the rate of recovery is “random”.

Pelous described the injury as “a funny trick in my career” but said that the pain was always there and acted as a brake on his activities.

Pelous, who is 33, is one Test away from equalling Philippe Sella’s 111 caps, which is a French record.

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