Kumamoto (Japan) (AFP)

Change of scenery: the XV of France left Monday the bubbling Tokyo for Kumamoto, a medium-sized city located some thousand kilometers further south where it will remain until October 10. And where he will wait ten days until his next World Cup match against the United States.

The Blues will face Americans on October 2 in Fukuoka, about 100 kilometers on the same island of Kyushu, the southernmost of the four major countries that form Japan.

They landed shortly before 5 pm local time (10 am) in Kumamoto after saying goodbye to their teammate Wesley Fofana, who declared forfeit for the rest of the competition after a complication due to a crutch on one leg, and left for the France.

"There was a little meeting where a video was broadcast to thank him for everything he did for the French team, and he announced that he would end his international career (after the He received a jersey from the group and a small gift from the staff, it was important to do so, especially for him stopping the French team on injury "tells the back Thomas Ramos.

Arthur Iturria, who is also Fofana's team-mate in Clermont, said he was touched by his departure: "He's an important player, one of the leaders of the French team, and it's a bit like the metronome of the attack. from the defense behind, a very clean player, in addition to my club.It's sad.He had a wound, it can happen to everyone.Unfortunately it's rugby.

- Fofana "relieved" -

For Iturria, Fofana (31 years, 48 ​​sel.) Was even "relieved" that was put on Saturday night, a term to the suspense surrounding, for ten days, his injury: "At first he was necessarily upset because he Seeing that it did not move forward (healing), then I feel like he was relieved when he left, because he saw that he had an injury. "

"It was important for him because a lot of people say he listens to me, I sometimes first: I say to myself + it's not possible, it's done on purpose +! No, he had an injury. it relieved him to show everyone he had an injury, "Iturria adds.

The replacement of Fofana, the young center of Lyon Pierre-Louis Barassi (21 years old, 0 sel.), Must join Tuesday evening the group, which took up residence at the Nikko hotel, in the center of Kumamoto, city of 700,000 inhabitants famous for its medieval castle.

Damaged by the earthquakes that hit Kyushu Island in April 2016, it is expected to reopen in part on 5 October, the day before the first of two World Cup matches hosted by the city, France-Tonga.

Four days before, the Blues will face the United States. But by this next match, the time should seem quite long. "Obviously because we came to play, but it gives us time to prepare, then we have the two matches that follow each other quickly, so take advantage of these 10 days to work well," says Iturria.

After two days of recovery and rest, the second line and his teammates will put the blue heat Tuesday.

© 2019 AFP