First big step for the Rugby World Cup this Wednesday, June 21 with the list of 42 players called for the World Cup.
Serious things begin for the XV of France of rugby. A few days after the final of the Top 14 and the victory of Stade Toulousain, the time has already come to choose for the coach of the France team and his staff. Wednesday June 21, Fabien Gatlhié will unveil a group of 42 players to prepare for the next World Cup. An expanded list before the final announcement on August 21. A few days ago, a group of 23 players was called to Marcoussis for a 4-day internship with the U20s. Pierre-Henri Azagoh, Demba Bamba, Teddy Baubigny, Alexandre Bécognée, Bastien Chalureau, Dylan Cretin, Killian Geraci, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Baptiste Héguy, Thomas Laclayat, Sébastien Taofifenua, Christopher Tolofua, Florian Verhaeghe, Sacha Zégueur, Léo Barré, Anthony Bouthier, Louis Carbonel, Baptiste Couilloud, Julien Delbouis, Ethan Dumortier, Émilien Gailleton, Gabin Villière, Arthur Vincent were the lucky ones.
Safe values
For this list, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille, Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos, the champions of France, but also Uini Atonio, Grégory Alldritt and Jonathan Danty, European champions, will, without any doubt, in the list for the World Cup. Charles Ollivon (Toulon), former captain, should also be there just like Maxime Lucu (UBB).
The wounded who hope
Anthony Jelonch, indisputable holder, seriously injured his knee during the 6 Nations Tournament and hope to return in time to be part of the celebrations. Yacouba Camara, Sipili Falatea or hooker Gaetan Barlot are also in a delicate situation, injured or in the recovery phase.
The surprises
A list without any surprises is not really a list. Emmanuel Meafou, second line of Toulouse of Australian origin, is still not authorized to participate in the World Cup with the Blues, but could be summoned to the enlarged group to prepare for the World Cup. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (19) and Emilien Gailleton (20), not called up for the U20 World Cup, could be made available to the staff of the France team.
A big program before the World Cup
On the ground, the staff of the Blues organized three training courses. The first gathering will be from July 3 to 14 in Monaco, followed by a second at the CNR of Marcoussis from July 24 to August 3 before leaving from August 7 to 25 in Seignosse (Landes) in what will be its base camp for the Global. Finally, the French team will play four friendly matches during the month of August: twice against Scotland, in Edinburgh on the 5th and in Saint-Étienne on the 12th; then against the Fiji Islands, on the 19th, in Nantes, before ending the journey with the reception of Australia, on the 26th, at the Stade de France.