Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
France has unveiled their lineups for the Olympic Games next month. Following Brazil’s lead they have opted for minimal tinkering from the teams that participated in the HSBC Sevens Series.
Frédéric Pomarel has opted not to select any XVs stars outside of Virimi Vakatawa for his men’s side, though the Fijian is certainly an exception given that he was selected for the Six Nations tournament on the back of his outstanding performances in the shortened code. In fact the team is virtually identical to the one that took part in Paris near the end of the season with the only change the return of versatile and vastly experienced Vincent Inigo.
A surprise is that it is established veteran Jean-Baptiste Mazoué who drops out, with youngster Sacha Valleau preferred in the forward position. Mazoué is instead one of two players named as reserves, the other Bordeaux winger Sofiane Guitoune. There is no place for Montpellier flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo, nor talented newcomers Jean-Pascal Barraque and Arthur Bonneval.
David Courteix has also gone with the status quo, showing three changes to the team that competed at the Clermont-Ferrand tournament to end the season. Hard working Audrey Amiel and playmakers Jennifer Troncy and Pauline Biscarat are recalled to the side. Dropping out are Christelle Le Duff, Jessy Trémoulière, and Chloé Pelle. Le Duff and Trémoulière have been named as reserves.
The women finished in 5th spot on the overall standings but with the return of Biscarat and the presence of stars like Shannon Izar and Camille Grassineau they will be considered sleepers. They will be in Pool B at the tournament along with New Zealand, Spain, and Kenya. The men are also in Pool B, with South Africa, Australia, and Spain.
FRANCE MEN’S 7s
Jeremy Aicardi, Steeve Barry, Terry Bouhraoua (capt.), Julien Candelon, Damien Cler, Manoël Dall’Igna, Vincent Inigo, Pierre-Gilles Lakafia, Jonathan Laugel, Stephen Parez, Virimi Vakatawa, Sacha Valleau
FRANCE WOMEN’S 7s
Audrey Amiel, Pauline Biscarat, Camille Grassineau, Lina Guérin, Elodie Guiglion, Fanny Horta (capt.), Shannon Izar, Caroline Ladagnous, Jade Le Pesq, Marjorie Mayans, Rose Thomas, Jennifer Troncy
