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Ollivon heads up hugely changed 42-man France squad in Japan
By Kim Ekin
Toulon loose forward Charles Ollivon leads a 42-man France team chosen on Monday by coach Fabien Galthie for two Tests against Japan next month.
Matthieu Jalibert, Melvyn Jaminet, Damien Penaud, and Virimi Vakatawa are among the other seasoned campaigners on the group, which also includes 17 uncapped players.
Only Ollivon, who led the Barbarians to a 52-21 victory over England last weekend, Penaud, Vakatawa, and prop Demba Bamba have more than 20 caps.
Galthie had already stated that a number of high-profile players, including the majority of the Six Nations Grand Slam-winning squad, would not be picked in order to give them some break.
It means that players like Antoine Dupont, the World Player of the Year, and his Toulouse teammate Romain Ntamack will miss the trip to Japan.
Players from the Top 14 final between Montpellier and Castres on June 24 are also absent.
On July 2 in Aichi and July 9 in Tokyo, France will face Japan.
France squad:
Forwards: Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dany Priso, Matis Perchaud, Sipili Falatea, Demba Bamba, Dorian Aldegheri, Thomas Laclayat, Pierre Bourgarit, Peato Mauvaka, Christopher Tolofua, Thomas Lavault, Thomas Jolmes, Remi Picquette, Swan Rebbadj, Thibaud Flament, Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, Sekou Macalou, Ibrahim Diallo, Matthias Haddad, Yoan Tanga, Dylan Cretin, Charles Ollivon, Selevasio Tolofua.
Backs: Maxime Lucu, Baptiste Couilloud, Nolann Le Garrec, Antoine Hastoy, Matthieu Jalibert, Louis Carbonel, Tani Vili, Virimi Vakatawa, Yoram Moefana, Louis Le Brun, Damian Penaud, Jules Favre, Matthis Lebel, Remy Baget, Enzo Reybier, Aymeric Luc, Melvyn Jaminet, Max Spring, Romain Buros.
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Latest Comments
This is a nonsense phrase that has become popular when rugby fans describe their own teams.
Regardless of the game, or which team you favor, both teams are likely to have "left points behind" or "gifted" their opponents some scores.
The truth is that in these four games NZ were not good enough to impose themselves and deliver the wins. Teams can improve, and I hope NZ does so, but let's not avoid the fact that they tried and failed.
Its not "left wins behind", but "this year we weren't good enough".
Go to commentsHyperbole aside I must be honest I didn’t know there was such a negative perception of him
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