Rugby: Pelous out of Irish clash 01/02/2007 00:00

PARIS, Jan 31, 2007 (AFP) - France's veteran captain Fabien Pelous has been ruled out of the defending Six Nations champions' crucial away match with favourites Ireland, it was revealed on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old had said he expected to be back for the Irish clash on Sunday week having recovered from an ankle injury sustained on December 16 last year but the Toulouse stalwart stopped training because he felt pain in a calf muscle.

"Fabien underwent new scans on Tuesday because he was suffering from a small inflammation of a calf muscle," explained France team manager Jo Maso.

"These scans showed that there was no serious damage."

Maso, who has been part of the French managerial set up for the best part of 10 years now, added that they hoped Pelous would be fit for either the third match against 2005 Grand Slam winners Wales or the match after against world champions England.

"The target is that he will play in at least one match," said the former dashing centre for France.

"If he is back in shape and on form we would hope that he can line-up against Wales or at the very least England," added Maso..

According to several pundits the injury to the 110-times capped Pelous could be a blessing for the French as he has suddenly looked cumbersome and slow over the present season and ready to be replaced by a more lively replacement in the first team.

Copyright AFP

Subject: french news, Rugby