ALTHOUGH HE SERVED as French vice-captain during the most recent Six Nations, Mathieu Bastareaud has been left out of France’s Rugby World Cup training squad.
The 30-year-old Toulon centre does not appear among Les Bleus’ 37-man squad, and misses out along with experienced scrum-half Morgan Parra – who has been struggling with an ankle injury – and winger Teddy Thomas.
French outlet Midi Olympique yesterday reported Bastareaud’s likely absence from the squad, saying his being left out is at the behest of incoming coach Fabien Galthie.
Galthie will replace Jacques Brunel as head coach after the World Cup, but is also assisting him during the upcoming tournament.
Those who have been named in the squad include uncapped front rowers Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse) and Emerick Setiano (Toulon) and Fijian-born Clermont winger Alivereti Raka.
Of the 37-man squad, six have been named on standby. The players who took no part in the Top 14 play-offs will assemble on 25 June, and those who did will link up on 1 July. This excludes those who went as far as the semi-finals and final of the competition, who will be given an extended break to 6 July.
France have been drawn in Pool C of the World Cup, and will face England, Argentina, United States, and Tonga.
The squad in full:
Forwards (17): Gregory Alldritt, Demba Bamba, Yacouba Camara, Camille Chat, Paul Gabrillagues, Guilhem Guirado, Arthur Iturria, Felix Lambey, Wenceslas Lauret, Bernard Le Roux, Peato Mauvaka, Jefferson Poirot, Louis Picamoles, Dany Priso, Emerick Setiano, Rabah Slimani, Sebastien Vahaamahina
Backs (14): Geoffrey Doumayrou, 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
Standby (6): Anthony Belleau, Francois Cros, Etienne Falgoux, Charles Ollivon, Vincent Rattez, Paul Willemse
Few big names missing there. For me Gourdon is a big omission, same with Atonio and Gomes Sa in the front row. Not sure if Maestri is injured but I’d have thought he’d be there too. Thomas and bastereaud are liabilities and are probably omitted because of that.
@Jim Demps: Thomas is the French answer to Zeebo
@Jim Demps: Gourdon hasn’t been at the same level since a year and a half Jim. Same with Maestri – he’s nowhere near his level of 5 years ago.
Word is Galthié and Labit said the backs have to produce a much quicker game so in comes Guitoune and out goes Basta.
I’m not sure back row is mobile enough unless Canada finds form. Macalou shd be there on form but those partying in Scotland have been ostracized (perhaps a question of character in his case). Cros hopefully will get in.
Overall I like the squad very much. I wd have had Bezy instead of Serin and I’m not sure they need Lopez.
@Andrew H: Camara
@Andrew H: still surprised gourdon wasn’t included. For me I’d have had him instead of la Roux who’s best days are behind him. Fair enough about Maestri. I guess there’s only room for one penalty machine with Vahaamahina in there.
@Jim Demps: Le Roux has been more selected as a lock according to reports
Agree he gives away a lot of pens – he was v v good Saturday evening however.
@Andrew H: Macalou and Cros have probably been the two most impressive flankers this season…
@Gavin Quirke: Scores a lot of tries?
Basta is only a centre , others like Fofana , Fickou can play in various positions .Theres also the likelihood that the French are considering the 6 weeks in camp plus 6 weeks in Japan required to do the job . NZ and Argentina are famous for their ‘no d@ckheads ‘ policy for touring squads . This might explain both Basta’s and Thomas’ absence too apart from their reduced positional flexibility. Still can’t understand how Vahahamiina gets picked , he is 6 points for the opposition guaranteed .
@Limón Madrugada: I think they have enough versatile players (I’m not sure any team have as many in the backs) and contrary to the image outside of France, he is or rather was a leader of the team (his personality has changed a lot, he’s a positive influence on the group). There was a report yesterday that there were fitness tests (I assume in-club) for all the French players and he fared very badly, and that and Galthié/Labit’s insistence to play a much quicker game meant it’s a very logical choice.
@Andrew H:
I agree with you , “his personality has changed a lot, he’s a positive influence on the group)” A French lad in the club, felt that he was the most positive influence over the last 1 Half years :: He wore the jersey with great pride:: but as you said if he doesn’t keep fit it doesn’t say much for his chances or his attitude:: I think it is a mistake as he would have been a god man to have in the Squad IMO
@Martin Quinn:
Good ::not God