Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP 18:43 pm, June 05, 2023

A first group was summoned by the staff of the XV of France in Marcoussis. A few months before the start of the Rugby World Cup which will take place in France, Fabien Galthié must test some players. The Top 14 semi-finalists were left at the disposal of their respective clubs.

Twenty-six players, three of whom are "in care", have been summoned by the staff of the XV of France for the first gathering in Marcoussis before the World Cup (September 8-October 28), said Monday the French Rugby Federation. Among the players called to the CNR from June 7 to 9 are Montpellier center Arthur Vincent (23 years, 14 caps) or Toulon winger Gabin Villière, who return from injury.

Three other players, Montpellier players Yacouba Camara and Paul Willemse as well as Toulon's Baptiste Serin, were also summoned despite their injuries. Bayonne Baptiste Héguy and Pau Sacha Zegueur, Stade Français opener Léo Barré and Pau centres Emilien Gailleton and Stade Français Julien Delbouis are the newcomers called, as is Thomas Laclayat, pillar of Oyonnax who played in the second division this season.

Exempted semi-finalists

The semi-finalists of the Top 14 (La Rochelle, Toulouse, Racing 92, Bordeaux-Bègles), which include many executives of the Blues, were exempted from this gathering. In total, seven clubs are represented: Montpellier (8 players), Lyon (6), Toulon (5), Stade Français (3), Pau (2), Bayonne and Oyonnax (1 each).

This is a first squad review to judge the state of form of injured and players eliminated in the play-offs. A first list of 42 players will be announced on June 21 to prepare for the 2023 World Cup before the final list on August 21. At the World Cup, Les Bleus will face All Blacks, Uruguay, Italy and Namibia.

The 26 players summoned to Marcoussis

Pillars: Demba Bamba (Lyon, 25 years, 25 caps), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon, 24 years, 21 sél.), Thomas Laclayat (Oyonnax, 25 years, 0 sél.), Sébastien Taofifenua (Lyon, 31 years, 2 sél.)

Hookers: Teddy Baubigny (Toulon, 24, 1 cap)

Second row: Pierre-Henri Azagoh (Stade Français, 25, 2 sec.), Bastien Chalureau (Montpellier, 30, 2 sec.), Killian Geraci (Lyon, 24, 4 sec.), Florian Verhaeghe (Montpellier, 26, 1 sec.)

Third row: Dylan Cretin (Lyon, 25, 17 sec.), Baptiste Héguy (Bayonne, 25, 0 sél), Sacha Zegueur (Pau, 23 years, 0 sél.)

Opening halves: Léo Barré (Stade Français, 20, 0 sec.), Louis Carbonel (Montpellier, 24, 5 caps)

Scrum-halfs: Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon, 25, 11 caps)

Centres: Julien Delbouis (Stade Français, 23 years old, 0 sél.), Emilien Gailleton (Pau, 19 years old, 0 sél.), Arthur Vincent (23 years old, 14 sél.)

Wingers and backs: Anthony Bouthier (31, 8 sec.), Ethan Dumortier (Lyon, 21, 3 sec.), Gabin Villière (Toulon, 27, 12 sec.)

Players in care: Yacouba Camara (Montpellier, 29 years, 17 sec.), Paul Willemse (Montpellier, 30 years, 28 sél.), Baptiste Serin (Toulon, 28 years, 42 sél.)