Boulogne-Billancourt (AFP)

They overcame everything, injuries such as their reserve status: left-back Cyril Baille and third row Charles Ollivon were rewarded, included Monday in the list of XV of France for the World Cup.

It was not even a surprise, as both players were in the pre-season. The Toulousain and the Toulonnais will see Japan (September 20-November 2), they who were not so long ago on the operating table: in August 2018 for Baille (hamstrings), the following month for Ollivon (scapula). The last of a long list.

+ Ollivon, the resurrection

In September 2018, Ollivon grows black after a relapse to a scapula, a second fracture in one year probably synonymous with a new white season.

"It was a fight but I did not think to stop," says the Basque. The third line clings, is recovering well from the operation and returns in top form to play 7 matches with Toulon in the spring.

Enough to be retained as a reservist in the initial list of June 18th. On his way, Ollivon (26 years old, 8 caps) is amazing during his preparation, especially on mobility criteria that have become the priority of the staff.

Against Scotland (32-3), his first selection since February 2017 is more a confirmation than a revelation: imperial in the air in touch, present to ensure the link between attack and defense, he goes into a provisional reserve game likely. "I felt good, I found my bearings pretty quickly in the game," he said afterwards.

In Edinburgh a week later (17-14 defeat), the impression is less strong but the idea that Ollivon rhymes with Japan is making its way. The person refuses then to listen and relativize after so many galleys. "I have a vision of things in the very short term, I try to take maximum pleasure." He can now see until September 21, staring at a berth position against Argentina, opening.

+ Baille, double injury and double trump

He was not even a reservist at the start! But Cyril Baille (25 years old, 13 caps) took advantage of Etienne Falgoux's injury to break into the group of 37, on July 21st. Lest of "two-three" extra pounds, holidays oblige. So he drooled during the internship in Monaco. "When I arrived, I was crazy, for sure, now I feel better on the race, on everything," he explained two weeks ago in Nice.

Baille lost a total of seven kilos ("three-four" in relation to his fitness weight) and convinced the coaching to take him rather than Dany Priso as Jefferson Poirot's lining. Mainly for his skills in closed scrums and in the current game, he was fed on Toulouse grain.

These predispositions allowed him to know his first selection in November 2016, then to cross the following Six Nations Tournament as the holder. But three weeks later, he seriously injured his left knee.

Back, he participated in the tour of June 2018 in New Zealand, before another blow: hamstring surgery in August, which will not be fully restored until late December.

"When I was operated on August 6 of the ischios, if I had been told that I would be there at the World Cup preparation, I would not have believed it, because of how far I have come. He can continue to savor.

© 2019 AFP