The National Rugby League published this Saturday the list of 138 Top 14 and Pro D2 players who will represent their countries at the World Cup. Each of the 30 French professional clubs thus has at least one player who will play in the competition. The two French championships are thus the most represented with more than 20% of players competing in the World Cup.
Top 14 and Pro D2 will be represented on all continents since 18 of the 20 nations have at least one player from the 30 clubs in their ranks. Including 100% of the list of 33 Blues. Next come Georgia (16), Portugal and Argentina (12 each). Then Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, with an equal contingent of 10 players each, Italy (6), South Africa, England, Wales, Romania and Uruguay (4 each ), New Zealand (3) and Australia (2). finally, Chile, Scotland and Namibia each have a “French” player.
Stade Toulousain, reigning French champion, is logically the most represented, ahead of Stade Rochelais, European champion, LOU and Racing 92.
Toulouse Stadium (17)
Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Dorian Aldegheri, Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Anthony Jelonch, Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos, Melvyn Jaminet (France), Ange Capuozzo (Italy), Pita Akhi (Tonga), Richie Arnold (Australia) , Nepo Laulala (New Zealand), Jack Willis (England), Santiago Chocobares, Juan Cruz Mallia (Argentina).
RC Toulon (13)
Jean-Baptiste Gros, Charles Ollivon, Gabin Villier (France), Beka Gigashvili (Georgia), Duncan Paia’aua, Brian Alainu’uese (Samoa), David Ribbans (England), Waisea Nayacalevu (Fiji), Ben White (Scotland) , Facundo Isa (Argentina).
Rochelais Stadium (11)
Uini Atonio, Reda Wardi, Gregory Alldritt, Paul Boudehent, Pierre Bourgarit, Antoine Hastoy, Jonathan Danty (France), Will Skelton (Australia), Joel Sclavi (Argentina), Ulupano Seuteni (Samoa) and Levani Botia (Fiji).
LOU Rugby (10)
Romain Taofifenua, Baptiste Couilloud (France), Davit Naniashvili, Beka Saghinadze (Georgia), Martin Page-Relo, Monty Ioane (Italy), Feao Fotuaika (Tonga), Semi Radradra, Temo Mayanavanua (Fiji), Jordan Tofua (Samoa).
Racing 92 (10)
Cameron Woki, Gaël Fickou (France), Josua Tuisova (Fiji), Juan Imhoff (Argentina), Henry Arundell (England), Vinaya Habosi (Fiji), Guram Gogichashvili (Georgia), Will Rowlands (Wales), Trevor Nyakane and Siya Kolisi (South Africa).
Union Bordeaux-Bègles (9)
Argentina’s Ben Tameifuna and Adam Coleman have been linked with a move to Argentina.
USA Perpignan (8)
Tomasso Allan, Pietro Ceccarelli (Italy), Afusipa Taumoepeau (Tonga), Marvin Orie (Afrique du Sud), Jeronimo de la Fuente, Joaquin Oviedo (Argentina), Seilala Lam, So’otala FaAso’o (Samoa).
Montpellier HR (7)
Bastien Chalureau, Arthur Vincent (France), Mikheil Nariashvili, Luke Japaridze (Georgia), Paolo Garbisi (Italy), Cobus Reinach (South Africa), Ben Lam (Samoa).
Rowing Bayonne (6)
Sireli Maqala, Luke Tagi (Fiji), Konstantin Mikautadze, Gela Aprasidze (Géorgie), Manuel Lindekar (Uruguay), Rodrigo Bruni (Argentine).
Pau section (6)
Guram Papidze, Beka Gorgadze (Géorgie), Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (Tonga), Lekima Tagitagivalu (Fidji), Samuel Whitelock (Nouvelle-Zélande), Tumua Manu (Samoa).
French Stadium Paris (5)
Joe Marchant (Angleterre), Tanginoa Halaifonua (Tonga), Giorgi Tsutskiridze (Géorgie), Paul Alo-Emile (Samoa), Sekou Macalou (France).
ASM Clermont-Auvergne (4)
George Moala (Tonga), Marcos Kremer, Tomas Lavanini (Argentina), Fritz Lee (Samoa).
Oyonnax Rugby (2)
Pedro Bettencourt (Portugal), Stephen Mafi (Tonga).
Olympic Castres (1)
Santiago Arata (Uruguay).
AS Béziers Hérault (3)
Francisco Fernandes, Samuel Marques and Raffaele Storti (Portugal).
Olympic Biarritz (3)
Tornike Jalagonia (Georgia), Adrian Motoc (Romania), Luteru Tolai (Samoa).
Montois Stadium (3)
Anthony Alves and Simao Bento (Portugal), Gheorghe Gajion (Romania).
SA XV Charente Rugby (2)
Inaki Ayarza (Chile), Nicolas Martins (Portugal).
Aurillacois Stadium (2)
Luka Nioradze (Georgia), Thomas Crétu (Romania).
Rugby colomiers (2)
Rodrigo Marta and Vincent Pinto (Portugal).
US Montalbanaise (2)
Tedo Abzhandadze (Georgia), Tijuee Uanivi (Namibia).
USON Nevers (2)
Lado Chachanidze and Lasha Jaiani (Georgie).
RC Valves (2)
Nicolas Freitas and Andres Vilaseca (Uruguay).
SU Agent (1)
Sonatane Takulua (South).
CA Brive (1)
Vasil Lobzhanidze (Georgie).
US Dax (1)
Diogo Hasse Ferreira (Portugal).
FC Grenoble (1)
José Madeira (Portugal).
Provence Rugby (1)
Tomas Francis (Wales).
Rouen (1)
Taylor Gontineac (Roumanie).
Valence-Romans Drôme (1)
Joris Moura (Portugal).
