France name u20 star Bamba in November squad

World Rugby u20 Championship star Demba Bamba has been included in the senior France squad for the November internationals. The tighthead prop turned heads at the flagship age-grade tournament with his punishing ball carrying, and he has been first choice at Brive in the Pro D2 this season. Bamba is the only player from the French second division named in the 31-man group.

Six Nations captain Guilhem Guirado is one of a number of experienced returnees. Bordeaux loosehead Jefferson Poirot, Clermont second rows Sebastian Vaha’amahina and Arthur Iturria, and Montpellier No8 Louis Picamoles boost the pack. They are joined by uncapped Toulouse hooker Julien Marchand.

The backs are more settled but there are additions in the halfbacks. Toulouse scrumhalf Antoine Dupont returns as does Clermont flyhalf Camille Lopez. Damian Penaud is set to be considered on the wing, the 22-year-old forced out wide this season due to Clermont’s excess of riches in the midfield.

France will play South Africa, Argentina, and Fiji on successive Saturdays beginning November 10.

FORWARDS
Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Demba Bamba (Brive), Cedate Gomes Sa (Racing 92), Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux Bègles), Dany Priso (La Rochelle), Camille Chat (Racing 92), Guilhem Guirado (Toulon), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Paul Gabrillagues (Stade Français), Arthur Iturria (Clermont Auvergne), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Sébastien Vaha’amahina (Clermont Auvergne), Mathieu Babillot (Castres), Kélian Galletier (Montpellier), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92), Bernard le Roux (Racing 92), Louis Picamoles (Montpellier)

BACKS
Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Morgan Parra (Clermont Auvergne), Baptiste Serin (Bordeaux Bègles), Anthony Belleau (Toulon), Camille Lopez (Clermont Auvergne), Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Geoffrey Doumayrou (La Rochelle), Wesley Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), Rémi Lamerat (Clermont Auvergne), Gaël Fickou (Stade Français), Damian Penaud (Clermont Auvergne), Teddy Thomas (Racing 92), Benjamin Fall (Montpellier), Maxime Médard (Toulouse)