Boulogne-Billancourt (AFP)

Saved on the gong: Louis Picamoles, the most experienced player of the XV of France, was finally selected Monday to compete in the World Cup in Japan (20 September-2 November), in a 3rd line muscular, which makes the fresh 2nd line Félix Lambey.

Lambey (Lyon) is among the six ousted, with the pillar Dany Priso (La Rochelle), the 2nd line Romain Taofifenua (Toulon), the 3rd line François Cros (Toulouse), the back or winger Vincent Rattez (La Rochelle ), and the opener or center of Toulon Anthony Belleau.

Compared to the group of 31 provisional announced June 18, Priso joined Lambey in the rank of "degraded". Cros, Taofifenua, Rattez and Belleau were substitutes.

The two players "promoted" are the left pillar Cyril Baille (instead of Priso) and the third line of Toulon Charles Ollivon.

Ollivon came back from two years of hardship due to several single-shoulder operations to interfere in the third row, which Brunel chose to muscle: he retained an additional player from his initial group of 31. And to rely on the versatility of Arthur Iturria, who can play second and third row.

- "Lambey a little behind" -

Lambey, holder of most of the last tournament of six nations, is thus ousted 31, after passing through his game in Scotland (defeat 17-14, August 24), including the physical dimension. Paul Gabrillagues, suspended for the first match of the World Cup, on September 21 against Argentina, and Bernard Le Roux, who did not play the preparation due to a suspension, will see them in Japan.

"(Iturria) as the whole of the third line showed a lot of going during the preparation and the matches, so when we had to make the choices, it seemed to us that Felix was a little behind in the preparation and in the matches" Brunel told the press after announcing his group on TF1.

Faced with a tough choice, the coach has chosen to take six third row at the World Cup. Including Wenceslas Lauret and Yacouba Camara, who had only one meeting of preparation as holders to show themselves, and Picamoles.

The Montpelliérain (33 years, 79 sel.), Present at the World Cups 2011 and 2015, displays the position of N.8 a unique profile of perforator, able to advance in the defenses.

But his lack of consistency, endurance, mobility and the good performance of his competitors had left a serious doubt about his presence in the list of 31. His performance Friday against Italy (47-19), the last match of preparation, convinced the staff.

"It was chosen because it has great benefits, has experience," said Brunel on TF1.

"Picamoles answered questions about the last match, he showed his qualities," added the coach to the press.

- The beautiful summer of Baille -

Like captain Guilhem Guirado and center Wesley Fofana, he will end his international career on a final adventure in Japan.

Priso will not see him the country of the rising sun, victim of the return of Baille force: the left pillar of Toulouse was not even in the initial list, before taking advantage of the package of Etienne Falgoux to join the group in the course of preparation, July 21st!

He came into play in Scotland and against Italy, and he convinced the coaching team, especially with his better melee skills and superior technique over Priso.

"Cyril Baille got on the bandwagon, did a lot of work to get back to level and made some good quality matches, and it's probably his entries into the match that made the difference," said Brunel. .

Like Ollivon, he finds the light after having chained wounds: left knee in April 2017, then hamstring surgery in August 2018. Champion of France last June with Toulouse, his beautiful summer continued Monday.

© 2019 AFP