France head coach Jacques Brunel has named a revised 31-man squad for the World Cup, with lock Félix Lambey and prop Dany Priso missing out this time.
Lambey and Priso were both named in the initial 31-man squad, but Brunel on Monday announced the pair would be replaced by Charles Ollivon and Cyril Baille.
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Brunel explained he had chosen Ollivon and Baille due to their displays in the warm-up Tests against Scotland and Italy.
‘Cyril [Baille] arrived in the middle of our preparation. He made a big effort to get up to the required level. It’s without a doubt his performances during the matches which made the difference with our decisions.’
‘When I had to make the choice Felix was a bit behind with his preparation and the matches. The loose forwards was the hardest position. We took players who proposed good things during the preparation.’
Meanwhile, suspended lock Paul Gabrillagues has been retained in the squad. He will miss France’s opening game against Argentina, but will be available for selection thereafter.
France squad – Gregory Alldritt, Cyrill Baille, Demba Bamba, Yacouba Camara, Camille Chat, Paul Gabrillagues, Guilhem Guirado (c), Arthur Iturria, Wenceslas Lauret, Charles Ollivon, Bernard le Roux, Peato Mauvaka, Jefferson Poirot, Louis Picamoles, Emerick Setiano, Rabah Slimani, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Antoine Dupont, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Sofiane Guitoune, Yoann Huget, Camille Lopez, Maxime Machenaud, Maxime Medard, Romain Ntamack, Damian Penaud, Alivereti Raka, Thomas Ramos, Baptiste Serin, Virimi Vakatawa.
Photo: Getty Images
