Ollivon, Jaminet, Dumortier… Who will be part of Fabien Galthié’s XV de France list?

It’s the end of a long wait. Fabien Galthié, coach of the XV of France, will unveil, Wednesday, June 21, his list of 42 players who will participate in the preparation for the World Cup, scheduled in France (from September 8 to October 28). With 79 players capped since 2019 and his arrival at the helm of the selection, Fabien Galthié’s reservoir is important for a list far from being definitive, as he has already repeated: “There may be injuries, forfeits, players recalled”recalled the coach.

As a reminder, the players called up will meet in Monaco for an internship from July 2 to 14, then in Marcoussis from July 24 to August 3 for a second internship before the friendly matches (against Scotland on August 5 and 12, in Fiji on the 19th and Australia on the 27th). The final list of 33 players will be revealed on August 21. The Blues’ first match will be against New Zealand on September 8.

Dupont, Atonio, Alldritt, Ollivon, Ntamack… They are sure to go

Captain, Antoine Dupont will undoubtedly be there, as will his partners from Stade Toulouse, freshly champions of France, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille, Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos. Beaten by Toulouse, but European champions, Rochelais Uini Atonio, Grégory Alldritt and Jonathan Danty will also be on this initial list. Charles Ollivon (Toulon), former captain, will be there alongside his childhood friend Maxime Lucu (UBB), who has established himself as Antoine Dupont’s understudy.

Indisputable holders of the three-quarter line, Damian Penaud (Clermont) and Gaël Fickou (Racing) will also be called by the coach. Also a holder as soon as he is available, Gabin Villière (Toulon) looks like Fabien Galthié’s number one choice with his Clermont counterpart. Despite an almost white season, his return at the end of the season seems to be good news for him.

Jaminet, Wardi, Woki… They should be there

Logically, most of these players should be among the 42 names called. Their presence even seems almost acquired but each of them will have something to prove during the preparation. A few months ago, Cameron Woki (Racing), Paul Willemse (Montpellier) and Romain Taofifenua (Lyon) would certainly have been very calm when it came to choosing the second row. And if injuries and some poor performances have marred the season of the first two, it is above all the shadow of Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse), of Australian origin but awaiting his eligibility with the Blues, which endangers one of their places for the World Cup. With the advent of Thibaud Flament, there seem to be only three places left.

Long number one at fullback, Melvyn Jaminet has lost his place to Thomas Ramos, but not seeing him in the list on June 21 would still be a surprise. As opener, it’s hard to see how Fabien Galthié could do without Mathieu Jalibert (UBB) and Antoine Hastoy (La Rochelle). Double European champion with La Rochelle, Reda Wardi has certainly secured his place among this first list after his good tournament this winter. Likewise, Sekou Macalou (Stade Français) and Yoram Moefana (UBB) should take advantage of their versatility and good performance to grab the right wagon.

Bourgarit, Dumortier, Gros… They can hope

Author of a very good second half of the season, scrum half Baptiste Serin (Toulon) is also a candidate for a place in the France group after coming back on the heels of Nolann Le Garrec (Racing), while Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon ) also remains in ambush. Hooker Pierre Bourgarit, after a superb season with La Rochelle, could well have his chance. To the right of the scrum, the race seems open behind Uini Atonio. Between Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Demba Bamba (Lyon) and Thomas Laclayat (Oyonnax), the staff will have to decide. On the left, Clément Castets (Stade français) could see his good season rewarded, like Dany Priso (Toulon) or Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), whose experience in the France group is important.

Behind, Ethan Dumortier (Lyon) showed that he was not afraid of games at stake during the Tournament (two tries in five selections). Not taken since 2021, rear Brice Dulin has returned to a very interesting level this season with La Rochelle. Finally, Pierre-Louis Barassi (Toulouse), Romain Buros (UBB) or even Matthis Lebel (Toulouse) can hope, but mainly because of their experience with a group they have often rubbed shoulders with without ever fully integrating it.

In the second row, Bastien Chalureau (Montpellier), Thomas Lavault (La Rochelle) or Thomas Jolmes (UBB) start a long way behind. In the third row, Dylan Cretin (Lyon), Yoan Tanga (La Rochelle), Ibrahim Diallo (Racing), Alexandre Roumat (Toulouse) or even Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle) can dream of a folding seat.

Jelonch, Vincent… They will have to come back from injury to believe it

Without his rupture of the cruciate ligaments during the last Tournament, Anthony Jelonch would have been guaranteed to be part of the 42. But the coach has already said it: if the Toulousain, who has become indisputable holder in the third line, can play the World Cup, he will be part of it. Injured to a knee in the semi-finals of Top 14, the pillar of the UBB Sipili Falatea will be out of action for at least six weeks. An injury that could make the coaches doubt in a very competitive position. Injured in the neck, the hooker Gaetan Barlot (Castres) is in a similar case.

For Arthur Vincent, the file is more complex. In good health, the three-quarters is an element of confidence of the staff, even without a starting status. Unfortunately, he’s been injured a lot over the past two seasons and his form remains a question mark. Yacouba Camara, recovering but invited during the three-day course organized at the beginning of June in Marcoussis, is starting from afar. But his performances with Montpellier, where he became captain, did not go unnoticed.

Meafou, Bielle-Barrey, Gailleton… They can create surprises

Since he became a coach, Fabien Galthié has always called on novices in his lists. Will he do the same for the World Cup? Expected target of the management of the France team, the second Toulouse native of Australian origin, Emmanuel Meafou, is today still not authorized to play the World Cup with the Blues for reasons of ineligibility. However, he could be called into this list of 42 players, he who had already been called up to prepare for the match against Wales during the last Six Nations Tournament.

Another very potential choice, that of jointly calling Louis Bielle-Biarrey (19 years old) and Emilien Gailleton (20 years old). Excellent this season, already summoned to Marcoussis in the past, the two three-quarters of UBB and Pau have, in any case, not been called up for the U20 World Cup, even though they are executives of the selection. Sign that they should not be very far from a place in the group.