Three changes to France roster for RWC

The final squad of 31 named by France to take part at the Rugby World Cup shows three changes to the original list named in June. Dany Priso and Félix Lambey join injured Geoffrey Doumayrou in missing out, with Cyril Baille, Charles Ollivon, and Virimi Vakatawa named in their place.

Priso sees his spot as backup to first choice loosehead Jefferson Poirot given instead to Baille. It’s something of a surprise given the impact Priso has had since his debut last year, but Baille has also played well when given opportunities.

The choice of leaving out Lambey has left many scratching their heads. Ollivon is not a like-for-like replacement in that he is a back row forward, which leaves only two specialist locks in the group and two players – Bernard le Roux and Arthur Iturria – capable of covering lock or loose forward. Of the two it’s le Roux who might be considered fortunate given he did not appear in the warm-up matches.

Vakatawa had earlier been confirmed as the replacement for Doumayrou, the latter ruled out with an Achilles tendon injury. Paul Gabrillagues is included after having his recent suspension reduced, meaning he will only miss the opening match of the tournament against Argentina.

France will compete in Pool C. Along with Los Pumas they will face England, Tonga, and the USA. The match against Argentina will be in Tokyo on September 21. Les Bleus will face off against the Eagles in Fukuoka on October 2.

A detailed roster list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux Bègles), Camille Chat (Racing 92), Guilhem Guirado (capt., Toulon), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Demba Bamba (Brive), Emerick Setiano (Toulon), Rabah Slimani (Clermont Auvergne), Paul Gabrillagues (Stade Français), Arthur Iturria (Clermont Auvergne), Bernard le Roux (Racing 92), Sébastien Vaha’amahina (Clermont Auvergne), Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Yacouba Camara (Montpellier), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Louis Picamoles (Montpellier)

BACKS
Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92), Baptiste Serin (Bordeaux Bègles), Camille Lopez (Clermont Auvergne), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Gaël Fickou (Stade Français), Wesley Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), Sofiane Guitoune (Toulouse), Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Maxime Médard (Toulouse), Damien Penaud (Clermont Auvergne), Alivereti Raka (Clermont Auvergne), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)