This is the beginning of the path that should lead the French rugby team to the World Cup, which it will play at home from September 8. The coach, Fabien Galthié, unveiled on Wednesday June 21 an initial list of 42 players summoned to begin this preparation, from July 2, in Monaco.
This list will be refined over the returns from injuries of certain players, who are not currently on the list, and the various training courses planned. The final World Cup roster, which will feature 33 players, will be announced on August 21.
This first list, which does not include any notable surprises, is a continuation of the choices made by the coach since his arrival at the helm of the XV of France, at the end of 2019. There are several categories:
The people of Toulouse
Just crowned with the glory of their 22nd title of champion of France, a contingent of Toulouse will join Marcoussis. For many seasons, the Pink City club has been the leading provider of the XV of France and has been the backbone of its “typical” team. Starting with the hinge, so important, that form Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack. But also a good part of the first line, Cyril Baille (left pillar) and Julien Marchand (hooker), among the best in the world at their post. Or the second line Thibaud Flament, revelation of the last Six Nations Tournament, the third line François Cros or the back Thomas Ramos.
The unavoidable
Whether they were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Top 14, like the center of Racing 92 Gaël Fickou, or defeated in the final like the third line center Grégory Alldritt, the right pillar Uini Atonio and the center Jonathan Danty, all three from La Rochelle; these players are among the first names that Fabien Galthié and his staff write down to form the starting XV.
Players who did not participate in the final stages of the Top 14 are also among the expected holders, on September 8 in the opening match against New Zealand: Damian Penaud, the Clermont winger leaving for Bordeaux, or Charles Ollivon, the third line of the Toulon Rugby club. For lack of certainty on the wing, it is not surprising to see the Lyonnais Ethan Dumortier, holder in the five games of the last Tournament, appear on the list.
“Finishing” stainless steels
A certain number of players should not, except surprise or exception, be holders of entry. But they will be called upon to make important replacements – as “finishers”, as the official name for the Blues dictates -, or even to take a starting place in the event of injury or in the last group matches, where the stake will be, if all goes well for the Blues, less important. Like the Toulouse hooker Peato Mauvaka, accustomed to thunderous replacements, the Bordelais Maxime Lucu (scrum half), official understudy for Antoine Dupont, or Matthieu Jalibert (opening half, Bordeaux), essential replacement for Romain Ntamack.
Powerful Romain Taofifénua (second row, Lyon) could play a starting role if Australian-born Toulousain Emmanuel Meafou – injured in the final – cannot be selected with the Blues and if Paul Willemse does not find his form. 2022. Dorian Aldegheri (pillar, Toulouse) has risen this season within the hierarchy of the right pillars, thanks to his performances, but also the disqualification of Mohamed Haouas, convicted of violence and dismissed from the XV of France.
Yoram Moefana (centre, Bordeaux), Sekou Macalou (third row, Stade Français), Jean-Baptiste Gros (prop, Toulon), Pierre Bourgarit (hooker, La Rochelle) and Reda Wardi (prop, La Rochelle) are also among the finishers “luxury” present in this group.
Those who play big
Some players are under pressure before this first rally. They were potential, even indisputable holders, but have regressed somewhat in the choices of Fabien Galthié. We can think of Toulouse rear Melvyn Jaminet, and second line Cameron Woki, very successful in 2022, but author of a more complicated season with his new club, Racing 92.
Baptiste Couilloud, Lyon’s scrum-half, will be in direct competition with Baptiste Serin for the place of third scrum-half in the list of 33. Dylan Cretin (third row, Lyon) will face intense competition at his position. As for the future of Antoine Hastoy (opening half, La Rochelle), it will undoubtedly depend on the distribution of the number of three-quarters and forwards retained in the list of 33 players for the month of August.
Ghosts
Arthur Vincent (center, Montpellier) and Gabin Villière (winger, Toulon) are coming back from long injuries and retain a lot of credit in the eyes of Fabien Galthié.
Among the players who haven’t seen the XV of France for some time, Demba Bamba (prop, Lyon), Brice Dulin (back, La Rochelle), Baptiste Serin (scrum-half, Toulon) return – the last two having had a very good end to the season.
Novices
Four promising players without selection at the moment have been called up to this list: Emilien Gailleton, the Top 14 scorer of the season (centre, Pau), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (winger, Bordeaux), Paul Boudehent (third row, La Rochelle) and Thomas Laclayat (pillar, leaving Oyonnax, in the second division, for Racing 92).
Linings
They will not see, except surprise, the World Cup. But they are among those who will play a crucial role in the preparation, in particular by allowing the staff of the XV of France to simulate opposition with complete teams. And their presence in the list attests to their proximity to the required level. So, if there is an injury or an unexpected malform, they can play their card. They are Bastien Chalureau (second line, Montpellier), Yoan Tanga (third line, La Rochelle) and Florian Verhaeghe (second line, Montpellier).
The wounded
Several players, including some essential in the eyes of the coach, are currently on the flank, but should, if their recovery takes place in time, make their way to the final list. These are in particular the third line of the Toulouse Stadium Anthony Jelonch (seriously injured during the Six Nations Tournament, but whose recovery is going well) or the Bordeaux right pillar Sipili Falatea, hit in the knee during the semi-final of the Top 14.
Finally, there remains the case of Emmanuel Meafou. The Toulouse colossus was injured in the final, and will be out for six to eight weeks. To this physical uncertainty is added another. On paper, the Australian-born player will only be eligible for the XV of France from November, but the management of the Blues hopes to take advantage of case law from the world rugby body. The latter’s response should be forthcoming.
