On June 21, Fabien Galthié will unveil the group for the two months of long preparation for the World Cup. At the end of the 35 official meetings of his first mandate, many certainties emerge. On the other hand, he will have to decide for the final places.
Skimming is complete. Since taking office in January 2020, Fabien Galthié has finished with the 35 official meetings separating the 2019 World Cup in Japan from the 2023 edition in France. During these three and a half years, the coach and his assistants have selected, at least once, 79 players, including 45 novices who have honored a first cape, with or without a future (the last neo-capés being, during the tour November, the pillar Reda Wardi, the second lines Bastien Chalureau and Florian Verhaeghe, then, during this Six Nations Tournament, the only Ethan Dumortier, the winger of the LOU). Without forgetting a good twenty promising talents summoned to Marcoussis “in training“, participating in high-intensity training without however having the honor of donning the blue jersey struck by the Rooster.
The time to decide is approaching. On June 21, Fabien Galthié will unveil the list of 42 elected for the long preparation for the World Cup. A list which will be reduced to 33 regulatory units on August 28, at the end of the four friendly matches which will mark out the final stretch of the summer (two against Scotland, on August 5 and 12, one against Fiji on August 19, and Australia on August 26). Except for a dramatic injury in the Top 14 or European Cups which would eliminate a candidate, the suspense will be limited to the margins (mainly the linings of the linings) so much, over these 35 meetings, confirmations, revelations (including UFOs, name controlled Galthié…) and, also some disappointments, largely shaped the group of elected officials. Le Figaro lists (in alphabetical order) certain starters, the last waivers and (rare) last-minute surprises.
Pillars
The hierarchy is clear. On the left, Baille and Gros; on the right, Atonio and Falatea. Reda Wardi also seems certain on the left. On the right, Dorian Aldegheri returned to the race at the last moment and Thomas Laclayat, who is wreaking havoc with Oyonnax in Pro D2, has the ideal profile to be the training companion. There remains the case of Mohamed Haouas. Fabien Galthié assured that he was going “protect him, help himafter his red card against Scotland, his second in 14 appearances. To the point of retaining him for the World Cup? The case of Montpellier, and future Clermontois, poses a serious problem. He is now in the crosshairs of the referees and in the sights of the opponents, who will not hesitate to try to unpin him. It therefore seems too risky to take him to the World Cup… Finally, missing since the 2022 Grand Slam, the Lyonnais Demba Bamba has an interest in waking up quickly if he wants to return to the race.
They are certain:
Uini Antoniio, Cyril Baille, Sipil Falatea, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Reda Wardi.
They are on the ballot:
Dorian Aldegheri, Demba Bamba, Clement Castets, Thomas Laclayat (but also Dany Priso).
hookers
The choice is clear. Toulouse’s Julien Marchand and Peato Mauvaka are called upon to share the playing time. To challenge them (a little), it will be played between Castrais Barlot and Rochelais Bourgarit. With a slight advantage for the second named. The lost sight is called Camille Chat. Lining for Guilhem Guirado during the 2019 World Cup, he hoped to start in 2023. He will see her from his sofa…
They are certain:
Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka.
They are on the ballot:
Gaëtan Barlot, Pierre Bourgarit (but also Teddy Baubigny).
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Second lines
The solid base is known. With, in first choice, the incredible Thibaud Flament who continues to impress a little more with each of his appearances. The Toulousain won his place as holder. Taofifenua, Willemse and Woki will be at the World Cup. It remains to choose one or two sturdy complement. Chalureau and Lavault seem to be on pole for the moment. But long-time injured, the Lyonnais Geraci (knee) or the Montpellier Verhaeghe (shoulder), are not eliminated. Their return to the field is expected in the coming weeks. If they are quickly in top form… A thought for Bernard Le Roux, an essential piece at the start of the adventure, before repeated concussions forced him to put away the crampons for six months (and probably permanently).
They are leaving some
Thibaud Flament, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Willemse, Cameron Woki.
They are in a tie
Bastien Chalureau, Killian Geraci, Thomas Jolmes, Thomas Lavault, Florian Verhaeghe (but also Florent Vanverberghe).
Third lines
The infernal trio Alldritt-Cros-Ollivon cleaned up. Jelonch was the Fourth Musketeer. His serious knee injury against Scotland raises fears of the worst for the Toulousain. The deadline is six months. To have a chance, he will have to win a big month. But Galthié and his staff will do everything to get him back. Another certain starter, the Parisian Sekou Macalou, replacing Proteus, who can play number 8, flanker, and even winger. The candidates for folding seats are very numerous. Among them, one emerges, the Rochelais Yoan Tanga, the only one to present a powerful profile able to overtake the Alldritt bulldozer in 8, which will certainly be preserved against Namibia and / or Uruguay during the first phase of the Cup of the world.
They are certain:
Gregory Alldritt, Francis Cross, Seko Macalou, Charles Ollivon, John Read.
There will be such a medical miracle:
Anthony Jelonch.
They are on the ballot:
Alexandre Bécognée, Paul Boudehent, Dylan Cretin, Ibrahim Diallo (but also Alexandre Roumat and Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer).
Scrum half
Another post where it’s settled. Captain Antoine Dupont and his regular understudy Maxime Lucu wiped out the competition. To accompany them, Couilloud and Le Garrec are in the fight. If the Toulonnais Baptiste Serin continues on his current momentum to achieve a cannonball end to the season, he could constitute the improbable return and the enormous surprise of the list of 42.
They are certain:
Antoine Dupont, Maxime Lucu.
They are on the ballot:
Baptiste Couilloud, Nolann Le Garrec, Baptiste Serin (but also Léo Coly).
Openers
Same scenario as for No. 9, the two 10s are known: Ntamack holder, Jalibert luxury lining. The folding seat will be played between the Rochelais Hastoy and the young Lyonnais Berdeu. Probably in that order…
They are leaving some
Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack.
They are in a tie
Leo Berdeu, Antoine Hastoy.
Centres
Danty-Fickou will make the pair. Delbouis and Moefana will be the understudy. If Arthur Vincent, seriously injured in the knee at the start of the season, is back in time, and in full possession of his means, he will be there. Galthié and his assistants appreciate his state of mind, his ability not to let go and to always be present. If the Montpellier player is too short, the Toulousain Barassi has a guaranteed place. The young captain of Les Bleuets, Émilien Gailleton, has the good profile to agree to spend four months in the group without really hoping to play… A time in the race, Tani Vili ended up paying for his lack of a decent lifestyle to disappear from the lists. A recall seems highly unlikely in the perspective of such a long preparation. Finally, here too, a thought for an executive from the start of Fabien Galthié’s mandate: Virimi Vakatawa. The Racingman was forced to give up rugby after the discovery of a heart defect.
They are certain:
Jonathan Danty, Julien Delbouis, Gaël Fickou, Yoram Moefana.
There will be if complete healing:
Arthur Vincent
They are on the ballot:
Pierre-Louis Barassi, Emilien Gailleton.
Wingers
Damian Penaud and Gabin Villière (if he is finally rid of his physical glitches) are the indisputable holders. Lyonnais Ethan Dumortier achieved an unprecedented final sprint: a novice before 2023, he has just lined up five selections in a row. And earn his place for the World Cup. Matthis Lebel has everything from the fourth thief. Will the coaches take a fifth winger (UBB’s Bleuet Louis Bielle-Biarrey would then be the big favourite) or will Bordeaux’s Romain Buros cover the wing and the back? A return of Clermontois Alivereti Raka, although currently to his advantage with Clermont, seems unlikely. Called at the start of his term, Teddy Thomas gradually disappeared from circulation. He will not return… Another missing person, the Montpellier resident Vincent Rattez.
They are certain:
Ethan Dumortier, Matthis Lebel, Alain Penaud, Gabin Villière.
They are on the ballot:
Louis Bielle-Barrey, Delivery Rack.
Rears
The big loser on the list will be the second back of the Galthié era, Brice Dulin. The Rochelais never recovered from his dumpling which cost victory against Scotland at the end of the 2021 Six Nations Tournament. Melvyn Jaminet then took the 15th, before losing it to his Toulouse teammate Thomas Ramos. The two will also compete in the France team, although the second seems to have taken a clear advantage. It will be necessary to decide between Anthony Bouthier, back of the 2020 Tournament, and the Bordelais Romain Buros for the 3e place. Or take both by replacing the latter on the wing…
They are certain:
Melvyn Jaminet, Thomas Ramos.
They are on the ballot:
Anthony Bouthier, Romain Buros.
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