The ax finally fell. Fabien Galthié has just revealed, during the 1 p.m. news on TF1, his list of 33 players to participate in the World Cup in France (September 8-October 28). After intense preparation started in early July (with internships in Monaco, Marcoussis and Capbreton) and three preparatory matches (twice against Scotland, then Fiji on Saturday), the staff decided on the spot.

The bulk of the backbone of the XV of France was known, with in particular scrum half and captain Antoine Dupont, number 8 Grégory Alldritt and center Gaël Fickou as leaders. Obviously missing from the call, on injury, the star opener Romain Ntamack (rupture of the cruciate ligaments of the knee). In his absence, the two openers of the XV of France will be Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Hastoy.

The big winners of the summer are the young winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey and the third-line Paul Boudehent. Author of three convincing outings in Blue, in the wake of a full season with his club, the UBB player, who had not been selected for the last U20 World Cup (won by France), managed to make a place in the group for the “big” World Cup. The versatility of the winger or rear with the red helmet is an asset for the staff. On the other hand, his friend under 20, Émilien Gailleton, yet top scorer in the last Top 14 (14 tries) but only aligned in the first match at Murrayfield, did not manage to cross the “cut”.

The other surprise came from the selection of the third line wing of La Rochelle, Paul Boudehent. Already summoned to Marcoussis before this summer but never aligned, he was finally selected for the World Cup after two good performances against Scotland, notably finishing in the center during the second match at Saint-Étienne. Fabien Galthié and William Servat had compared his case to that of Thierry Dusautoir, initially not selected for the 2007 World Cup before exploding on the international scene.

To choose is to renounce. And the disappointed on this list are Brice Dulin and Baptiste Serin. Recalled after two years of absence, the back of Stade Rochelais, double European champion in title, is not one of the lucky ones. Holder and captain in the first match in Edinburgh, he remains at the dock, after participating in the 2015 World Cup and missing that of 2019 in Japan. Serin, also recalled after two years of absence, did not succeed in upsetting the competition behind Antoine Dupont and Maxime Lucu, the staff preferred to retain Baptiste Couilloud, regularly called during the so-called “development” summer tours.

Several questions arose about injured players or players in the healing phase. The staff decided by trusting the players installed since the beginning of his mandate. Thus, the third line Anthony Jelonch, seriously injured in the knee against Scotland at the Tournament, will be part of the world adventure. He found the Blues last week in Capbreton and he should be operational during the group stage. “He is very, very good,” manager Raphaël Ibanez recently explained. Second-line Romain Taofifenua, who regularly shines as a finisher, was also retained in the 33, despite not appearing in any of the summer’s three matches due to hamstring pain.

In the center, Arthur Vincent made his big comeback as a starter on Saturday against Fiji and he showed that he was still operational despite two seasons plagued by injuries. Appreciated by the staff for three years, the former U20 world champion, who can also play on the wing, hits the right wagon in extremis.

Before the opening with great fanfare of the World Cup, on September 8 at the Stade de France against the All Blacks, Antoine Dupont and his troupe will play a last preparation match on Sunday against Australia, in bad shape since the return of ‘Eddie Jones (four losses). But Fabien Galthié has said it over and over again, his group is not closed and injury packages can occur. “Once again, the list of 33, you make it a ‘cut’ event. But, often there may be players who are not on the list but will play the major matches and be the heroes. It’s already arrived. We have plenty of examples like that,” he insists.

19 forwards: Pillars (6): Aldegheri, Atonio, Baille, Falatea, Gros, WardiHookers (3): Bourgarit, Marchand Mauvaka Second row (4): Flament, Woki, Taofifenua, WillemseThird row (6): Alldritt, Cros, Jelonch , Ollivon, Boudéhent, Macalou.

14 backs: Scrum-halfs (3): Dupont, Lucu, Couilloud Fly-halfs (2): Hastoy, Jalibert Centers (4): Danty, Fickou, Moefana, A. VincentWings (3): Bielle-Biarrey, Penaud, VilllièreBacks (2): Jaminet, Ramos

The 11 reserves: Bamba (prop), Laclayat (prop), Barlot (hooker), Verhaeghe (second line), Chalureau (second line), Cretin (third line), Tanga (third line), Serin (half melee), Gailleton (center), Dumortier (winger), Dulin (back).

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