A Marcoussis opener with a thin squad
France started their Nations Championship preparation at midday today at Marcoussis, with Fiji in Lyon on November 7 (9:10pm) the first target. Only 32 players took part. The La Rochelle and Bordeaux-Bègles contingent, who played in Sunday night’s Top 14 clash won 25-19 by Bordeaux, watched from the sidelines.
Among those held back were Alldritt, Woki, Boudehent, Jegou, Lucu, Depoortere and Bielle-Biarrey, as well as Pau’s Emilien Gailleton, for a reason not yet given. They are expected back on Wednesday. Fourteen more players will be released tonight and may feature in round eight of the Top 14.
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The backs take shape
The three-quarter line showed the clearest pattern. Yoram Moefana and Kalvin Gourgues worked together at centre in the side that looked like the starters. Gourgues appears set to cover at number 13 for Fabien Brau-Boirie, who injured his left knee in Pau’s game at Toulon and missed the camp. Damian Penaud and Aaron Grandidier filled the wings in Bielle-Biarrey’s absence, with Théo Attissogbe at fullback because neither Thomas Ramos nor Matthieu Jalibert is available. Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack held the half-backs.
Up front, the picture is blurrier. Hugo Auradou and Mickaël Guillard paired in the second row, with Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou ruled out. Guillaume Cramont got the nod at hooker ahead of Peato Mauvaka, and François Cros, Esteban Capilla and Tyler Duguid formed the back row, while Charles Ollivon and Anthony Jelonch trained with the opposition.
It was also the first session run with new defence coach Geoffrey Doumayrou in charge of the defence. Nothing here is a team sheet yet, and the injured returning on Wednesday should sharpen it.
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