List of 33 for the 2023 Rugby World Cup: with ten players from Stade Toulousain including Jelonch and Jaminet

“If we wait until Sunday to make the list, it’s because we haven’t done anything for four years. We try to work in a coherent way. This list of 33, you make it an event but there could be some who will not be there at the start, who will not be in the 33 and who will be the heroes of this competition. There have already been examples. There, the idea is to build a group that we will have to amputate a dozen players. But these players are part of the France group no matter what.”

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After the test match against the Fiji Islands, Saturday August 19 (success of the Blues 34-17) Fabien Galthié thus wanted to defuse the “bomb” effect of a list announcement. The coach also wanted to reaffirm his confidence in a group he has built since the start of his term. Therefore, it is a group of 33 players with whom he has worked a lot who are expected on the stroke of 1 p.m. A group which is not closed since a player can be called up during competition due to an injury.

With the wounded Jelonch and Baille

This group that his staff chose had to be modeled according to the distribution forwards / three-quarters. In this sense, the probable selection of a Sekou Macalou would take a place at a three-quarter since the Parisian third line is ideal on a bench that can play third line or winger, as was the case against Fiji.

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List of 33 for the World Cup: Anthony Jelonch selected for the World Cup?

The main information is in the selection of Anthony Jelonch who is on the way to winning his formidable bet after his operation following a rupture of the ligament in his left knee during the last Tournament. The Gersois benefits from a big credit vis-à-vis the staff which will give him time to gain strength over the course of the competition.

Boudehent arrives

Then line by line, logic prevailed. If Sébastien Taofifenua joined the French team yesterday, it was above all to make up the numbers and be able to work in training. He will not double as left pillar Reda Wardi and Jean-Baptiste Gros who will be lined up against the Blacks in the opening match in the absence of Cyril Baille. The three hookers Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvake and Pierre Bourgarit were already known. The right pillars too: Uini Atonio, Dorian Aldegheri and Sipili Falatea even if Laclayat has just been called.

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In the second row, only Thibaud Flament was certain but if we continue with the idea of ​​a group that has been working together for four years Paul Willemse, Romain Taofifenua and Cameron Woki should take the remaining places; leaving Bastien Chalureau and Florian Verhaeghe behind, having arrived too late.

In the third row, the new kid is called Paul Boudehent who joins Anthony Jelonch, François Cros, Charles Ollivon, Grégory Alldritt and Sekou Macalou who invites himself because of his versatility before/three-quarter.

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At the scrum, there was still a place to take behind Antoine Dupont and Maxime Lucu. Baptiste Couilloud would have grilled Baptiste Serin even if the rib of the latter had risen since the injury of Romain Ntamack since Bapstise Serin can assert a versatility scrum half / half opening.

At the opening, Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Hastoy are selected. But in what order?

Bielle-Barrey in the name of versatility

On the wing, compared to the Tournament team, Ethan Dumortier who had taken the place of Matthis Lebel lost credit and did not deliver a great match against Scotland, during the only preparation match that he argued.

Gabin Villière returned and Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s red helmet appeared. The latter has the ability, moreover, to be versatile, a very useful profile in such a competition which allows him to snatch his ticket and join Damien Penaud.

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In the center, behind the pair Gaël Fickou and Jonathan Danty, three players are vying for the two remaining places: Arthur Vincent, Yoram Moefana and Émilien Gailleton. All three players have in common their ability to slide down the wing when needed. Advantage to the first two, always in the logic of the group formed; Emilien Gailleton just arrived.

Finally, at the back, Thomas Ramos was therefore certain of course. What will be his understudy? It should be Melvyn Jaminet, whose exceptional success against the poles must make the difference against Brice Dulin who does not take on this role. The staff would always have a back-scorer on hand.