Mark the dates in your diaries: exactly one month from today, four days after the Top 14 final, France coach Fabien Galthie will announce his first 42-player training squad for the World Cup.
Two months later, on August 21, he will confirm the final 33 for the tournament itself.
Between those two dates, the French coaches have given themselves plenty of room for manoeuvre, and left plenty of doors open for anyone who doesn’t make that first list.
And up to June 21, the coaching staff will have their work cut out reducing a long list of “around 100”, according to Galthie, down to that initial 42.
That list will be far from the end of the matter.
The head coach’s message at a press conference in his Lot hometown this week – where he had launched his ambitions plans for the national squad at the end of 2019 – was unequivocal, if not entirely accurate: “Until the last [warm-up] match, I invite the elite of French rugby to prepare to board the France team bus.”
The last pre-tournament summer warm-up match is against Australia in Saint-Denis on August 26, five days after the World Cup squad confirmation deadline, but you get the message.
Right now, and for as long as possible, places are available. It’s some message for a number of players.
One of those players on Galthie’s mind is Toulouse back row Anthony Jelonch, who has not played since rupturing an ACL in the Six Nations. According to Galthie, Jelonch is currently defying recovery timescale expectations and may – as per the player’s own assertions after his surgery – be ready to return in August, just before the final squad is revealed.
Esta historia es de la edición May 21, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 21, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.