Abstract: Method for producing fuel rods characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) placing a sleeve on an open end (30a) of a cladding (30), said sleeve comprising a passage provided with a shoulder designed to protect a surface of the open end (30a) of the cladding (30), b) inserting the end of the cladding (30a) provided with the sleeve into the cladding nose, c) isolating a space for receiving the pellets and an outer space, d) filling the cladding with pellets, e) interrupting said filling when the cladding contains a determined number of pellets, f) removing the end (30a) of the cladding from the cladding nose, g) ablating the sleeve. Device for carrying out the method according to the invention and a protective sleeve for nuclear fuel cladding.