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'Unpleasant emotions': The 12-strong reserves list named by France
France boss Fabien Galthie didn’t just name his official squad of 33 on Monday for the upcoming Rugby World Cup – he also named a 12-strong reserves list that will remain in camp until Wednesday, with some of those potentially remaining involved through to Sunday if required for the final Summer Nations Series match versus Australia in Paris.
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Having shared a two-game series with Scotland and then got the better of Fiji in an August programme that came with the devastating development that was Romain Ntamack’s cruel ACL injury versus the Scots in Saint-Etienne, Galthie has now unveiled his squad for the finals which begin on September 8 versus New Zealand at Stade de France.
He also confirmed his plan B, a list of standby players he will look to call on if someone drops out injured over the course of the tournament.
In the meantime, he asked this dozen-strong list to set aside their “unpleasant emotions” and help the official squad to be fully ready for the Wallabies and ensure France head into the World Cup on the back of another victory.
Included in the reserves list is Ethan Dumortier, the Lyon winger who started all five matches for the French in this year’s Guinness Six Nations. His omission from the official 33 highlighted how competitive RWC selection was in certain areas of the team.
🎦 𝟑𝟑 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒆𝒖𝒓𝒔 pour la Coupe de Monde #RWC2023, révélés par leurs supporters ✊🇫🇷#UnisPourUnRêve #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/FBfcFEyb2J
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) August 21, 2023
The other 11 players on standby are: Props Sebastien Taofifenua (Lyon), Thomas Laclayat (Racing 92) and Demba Bamba (Lyon), hooker Gaetan Barlot (he didn’t take part in the summer preparation due to a hernia operation but is now a reservist), Montpellier locks Bastien Chalureau and Florian Verhaegue, back-rowers Dylan Cretin (Lyon) and Yoan Tanga (La Rochelle), scrum-half Baptiste Serin (Toulon), centre Emilien Gailleton (Pau) and full-back Brice Dulin (La Rochelle).
At his media briefing where he confirmed the identity of the 33 tasked with attempting to win the World Cup for France on home soil, Galthie explained the rationale behind naming a secondary team of 12. “What we ask of these 12, we are aware that it is not easy,” he admitted.
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“That is a proposal that has been made to them. On Sunday, we asked them each if, despite the unpleasant emotions felt by not being on the list, they are able to continue their journey with us until Wednesday, and maybe Sunday according to the composition against Australia.
“It’s not an easy challenge but we rely on them, and we consider that they are ready to enter the bus at any time. They have been prepared to meet this challenge at all times.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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