LONDON – Philippe Saint Andre has named his 31-man Rugby World Cup squad on Sunday throwing in a couple of selection surprises.
Often thought as France’s number one choice pivot for some time, Francois Trinh-Duc has been left out of the squad in favour of veteran Freddie Michalak who starred in France’s win over England in Paris on Saturday night.
Morgan Parra and Trinh-Duc were thought to be France’s best starting half combinations however Saint Andre has seemed to favour Michalak’s experience and flair over Trinh-Duc’s ability to direct play.
Saint Andre has also left out forwards Xavier Chiocci, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Yoann Goujon and centre Remi Lamerat from his squad made up of 17 forwards and 14 backs.
France 31-man Rugby World Cup Squad
Forwards
Uini Atonio (La Rochelle)
Eddy Ben Arous (Racing Metro)
Vincent Debaty (Clermont)
Nicolas Mas (Montpellier)
Rabah Slimani (Stade Francais)
Guilhem Guirado (Toulon)
Benjamin Kayser (Clermont)
Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing Metro)
Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Francais)
Yoann Maestri (Toulouse)
Pascal Pape (Stade Francais)
Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse)
Bernard Le Roux (Racing Metro)
Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse)
Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier)
Damien Chouly (Clermont)
Louis Picamoles (Toulouse).
Backs
Rory Kockott (Castres)
Morgan Parra (Clermont)
Sebastien Tillous-Borde (Toulon)
Frederic Michalak (Toulon)
Remi Tales (Racing Metro)
Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon)
Alexandre Dumoulin (Racing Metro)
Gael Fickou (Toulouse)
Wesley Fofana (Clermont)
Brice Dulin (Racing Metro)
Sofiane Guitoune (Bordeaux-Begles)
Yoann Huget (Toulouse)
Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont)
Scott Spedding (Clermont).