SQUAD NEWS: France's Picamoles named for third Rugby World Cup

Mon, Sep 2, 2019, 10:17 PM
AFP
by AFP
Louis Picamoles is set to play in his third Rugby World Cup. Photo: Getty Images
Louis Picamoles is set to play in his third Rugby World Cup. Photo: Getty Images

France head coach Jacques Brunel dropped lock Felix Lambey and prop Dany Priso from his final Rugby World Cup squad on Tuesday.

Brunel had originally named the pair, both 25, in his 31-man group to prepare for the tournament during the summer, but replaced them with Toulon's Charles Ollivon and Toulouse's Cyril Baille.

The former Italy boss Brunel said he had chosen Ollivon and Baille due to their displays in the warm-up Tests against Scotland and Italy in August.

  RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD HUB: ALL THE TEAMS FOR JAPAN 2019

"When I had to make the choice Felix was a bit behind with his preparation and the matches. The loose-forwards was the hardest position," Brunel said.

"Cyril arrived in the middle of our preparation. He made a big effort to get up to the required level. It's without a doubt his performances during the matches which made the difference with our decisions.

"We took players who proposed good things during the preparation," he added.

Jacques Brunel's squad has faced some injury battles. Photo: Getty ImagesOn Sunday RMC Sport reported the most experienced member of the side, Louis Picamoles with 79 Test caps to his name, was to be excluded but Brunel said the No. 8's inclusion was down to his display in the 47-19 victory over the Azzurri on Friday.

"Picamoles responded to the questions we put to him most notably in the match against Italy," Brunel said.

"He showed his quality and his ability during the big matches," he added.

The 65-year-old had omitted the experienced pair of Morgan Parra and Mathieu Bastareaud in June from his original squad as Brunel and new advisor Fabien Galthie looked to implement a quicker style of play.

During the games last month he handed debuts to Fiji-born Alivereti Raka, Peato Mauvaka and Emerick Setiano.

Lambey and Priso along with lock Romain Taofifenua, flanker Francois Cros, fly-half Anthony Belleau and winger Vincent Rattez will remain as back-up.

Les Bleus start their campaign against Argentina before facing the US, Tonga and England in their pool.

SQUAD

France World Cup squad

Forwards: Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Yacouba Camara (Montpellier), Arthur Iturria (Clermont), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92), Louis Picamoles (Montpellier), Paul Gabrillagues (Stade Francais), Bernard Le Roux (Racing 92), Sebastien Vahaamahina (Clermont), Demba Bamba (Lyon), Emerick Setiano (Toulon), Rabah Slimani (Clermont), Camille Chat (Racing 92), Guilhem Guirado (Montpellier-capt), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Begles)

Backs: Maxime Medard (Toulouse), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Damian Penaud (Clermont), Aivereti Raka (Clermont), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Gael Fickou (Stade Francais), Sofiane Guitoune (Toulouse), Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92), Camille Lopez (Clermont), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92), Baptiste Serin (Toulon).

Share
Larkham pleased with statement win as Brumbies build form ahead of titanic Reds clash
Five things we learnt from ACT Brumbies - Moana Pasifika
ACT Brumbies send message to Super Rugby rivals with thumping Moana Pasifika win
The Brumbies celebrate a tight win over the Rebels. Photo: Getty Images
Brumbies hold off desperate Rebels in Super Rugby W