Third line Anthony Jelonch, recovering from injury, and injured prop Cyril Baille have been called up to the list of 33 French players called up for the World Cup in France (September 8-October 28), announced Monday, August 21, coach Fabien Galthié. “They are important players in our history, he explained. They have great international potential, they are great players. »
Victim of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee in February, the Toulousain Anthony Jelonch (27 years old, 25 selections) was operated on in March and has just returned to the group. His club partner, Cyril Baille (29, 44 caps), was hit in the right calf during the second preparation match in mid-August against Scotland. He must be absent for five to six weeks. “We thought it was possible for Anthony to return to his best level in September, added Fabien Galthié. It is not yet operational. Cyril can also return to the race in mid-September. »
Behind the usual executives, all summoned without surprise, two young talents have been selected: brilliant since the start of the preparation, the winger of Bordeaux-Bègles Louis Bielle-Biarrey and the third line of La Rochelle Paul Boudehent (23 years old) are got into the right car. Just like the center of Montpellier Arthur Vincent, back after two seasons undermined by injuries and a dozen games in total, club and selection combined. He reassured the management by participating in the French victory against Fiji on Saturday August 19. On the other hand, full-back Brice Dulin and scrum-half Baptiste Serin were not selected.
Ten Toulousians selected
In total, ten Toulouse, reigning French champions, have been called up: props Cyril Baille and Dorian Aldegheri, hookers Julien Marchand and Peato Mauvaka, second row Thibaud Flament, third row François Cros, backs Melvyn Jaminet and Thomas Ramos as well as, of course, captain and scrum half Antoine Dupont. Only the jewel of Toulouse Romain Ntamack (24 years old, 37 caps) is missing, package for the entire competition after suffering a rupture of the cruciate ligament of the left knee ten days ago.
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— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) August 21, 2023
Behind the Toulouse colony, the pillars Reda Wardi and Uini Atonio, the hooker Pierre Bourgarit, the third lines Paul Boudehent and Grégory Alldritt, the opening half Antoine Hastoy and the center Jonathan Danty come to swell the group of Rochelais, European champions In title.
The XV of France will start the World Cup with an opening match against the New Zealand All Blacks on September 8, before challenging Uruguay (September 14) and Namibia (September 21) and finishing the groups ahead of Italy (October 6). In the meantime, the Blues are playing a final preparation match, Sunday August 27 at the Stade de France, against Australia.
The 33 French players called up for the World Cup
Six pillars : Uini Atonio (La Rochelle, 33, 52 sacks), Cyril Baille (Toulouse, 29, 44 sacks), Reda Wardi (La Rochelle, 27, 9 sacks), Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse, 30, 10 sel.), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon, 24 years, 24 sel.), Sipili Falatea (Bordeaux-Begles, 26 years, 13 sel.)
three hookers : Julien Marchand (Toulouse, 28, 30 caps), Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle, 25, 10 caps), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse, 26, 23 caps)
Four second lines : Thibaud Flament (Toulouse, 26, 18 caps), Paul Willemse (Montpellier, 30, 30 caps), Romain Taofifenua (Lyon, 32, 43 caps), Cameron Woki (Racing 92, 24, 21 salt.)
Six third lines : Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle, 26, 41 caps), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle, 23, 2 caps), François Cros (Toulouse, 29, 21 caps), Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse, 27, 25 caps), (Sékou Macalou (French stadium, 28 years old, 18 caps), Charles Ollivon (Toulon, 30 years old, 34 caps)
Three scrum halves : Antoine Dupont (Toulouse, 26, 48 caps), Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Bègles, 30, 15 caps), Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon, 26, 12 caps)
Two opening halves : Antoine Hastoy (La Rochelle, 26, 4 caps), Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Bègles, 24, 25 caps).
Three wingers : Damian Penaud (Bordeaux-Bègles, 26, 43 sel.), Gabin Villière (Toulon, 27, 13 sel.), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Bègles, 20, 3 sel.).
four centers : Gaël Fickou (Racing 92, 29, 80 caps), Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle, 30, 22 caps), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier, 23, 16 caps), Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Bègles, 23 years, 18 sel.).
Two backs : Thomas Ramos (Toulouse, 28 years, 26 years), Melvyn Jaminet (Toulouse, 24 years, 14 years).
Twelve reservists
In addition, 12 additional players are reservists: Demba Bamba, Dylan Cretin, Sébastien Taofifenua, Ethan Dumorthier, Gaëtan Barlot, Thomas Laclayat, Florian Verhaeghe, Émilien Gailleton, Bastien Chalureau, Yoan Tanga, Brice Dulin, Baptiste Serin.
