He will play a third world: Louis Picamoles, one of the most experienced players of the XV of France, was finally selected in the group of 31 players to compete in the World Cup in Japan (September 20-November 2), at the 'inverse of the 2nd line Félix Lambey, according to the list of the Rugby team unveiled, Monday, September 2, by the coach Jacques Brunel.

On this list, unveiled in the TF1 news by coach Jacques Brunel, also includes Yacouba Camara and Wenceslas Lauret in the third row.

In addition to Lambey (Lyon), the six players ousted are the pillar Dany Priso (La Rochelle), the second line Romain Taofifenua (Toulon), the third line François Cros (Toulouse), the back or winger Vincent Rattez (La Rochelle), and the opener or center of Toulon Anthony Belleau.

Picamoles convinced against Italy

Picamoles, present at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, posted at the post 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.

Compared to the provisional group of 31 announced on June 18, the coach has finally decided to take a third extra line and rely on the versatility of Arthur Iturria, "who can play second and third line".

Lambey pays the price for his lack of physical impact

Felix Lambey, missed out on his match in Scotland on August 24 (losing 17 to 14), especially in terms of physical impact, actually costs and is digitally replaced by Charles Ollivon. This one was initially among the reservists (like Cros).

"(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" added Brunel to the press.

Apart from Ollivon, the other player promoted from substitute to starter is the left pillar Cyril Baille, selected at the expense of Priso. Baille was more than arrived in preparation, July 20, after the package on injury of Étienne Falgoux.

Belleau, Rattez, Taofifenua and therefore Cros were their reservists.

The complete list

Here is the group of 31 players of the XV of France:

Avants (17): Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Begles), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Guilhem Guirado (Montpellier / Cape), Camille Chat (Racing 92), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Emerick Setiano (Toulon), Rabah Slimani ( Clermont), Demba Bamba (Lyon), Sebastien Vahaamahina (Clermont), Bernard Le Roux (Racing 92), Paul Gabrillagues (French Stadium), Arthur Iturria (Clermont), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92), Yacouba Camara (Montpellier), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Louis Picamoles (Montpellier)

Back (14): Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Baptiste Serin (Toulon), Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Camille Lopez (Clermont), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Gael Fickou (French Stage), Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92), Sofiane Guitoune (Toulouse), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Damian Penaud (Clermont), Alivereti Raka (Clermont), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse), Maxime Medard (Toulouse).

With AFP