Felix Lambey misses out, Louis Picamoles in for France

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France head coach Jacques Brunel has announced his 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup, with no place for in-form second-row Felix Lambey.

Lambey joins Romain Taofifénua, François Cros, Dany Priso, Anthony Belleau and Vincent Rattez in missing out on the upcoming tournament.

Veteran number eight Louis Picamoles is named by boss Brunel, joining Bernard Le Roux, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt, Yacouba Camara and Wenceslas Lauret as France’s back-row options while Sebastien Vahaamahina, Arthur Iturria and Paul Gabrillagues are the second-rows included.

Jefferson Poirot, Rabah Slimani, Demba Bamba, Emerick Setiano and Cyril Baille are the five props, while captain Guilhem Guirado, Camille Chat and Peato Mauvaka are named as the hookers.

In the backs there are spots for scrum-halves Antoine Dupont, Baptiste Serin and Maxime Machenaud with Camille Lopez and Romain Ntamack the 10s travelling to Japan. Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Virimi Vakatawa and Sofiane Guitoune are France’s midfield options while Yoann Huget, Alivereti Raka, Damian Penaud, Maxime Medard and Thomas Ramos complete the squad.

France are in the same pool as England, Argentina, USA and Tonga and kick off their campaign against the Pumas in Tokyo on September 21.

France squad for Rugby World Cup

Forwards: Jefferson Poirot, Rabah Slimani, Demba Bamba, Emerick Setiano, Cyril Baille, Guilhem Guirado (c), Camille Chat, Peato Mauvaka, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Paul Gabrillagues, Arthur Iturria, Bernard Le Roux, Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Louis Picamoles, Yacouba Camara, Wenceslas Lauret

Backs: Antoine Dupont, Baptiste Serin, Maxime Machenaud, Camille Lopez, Romain Ntamack, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Sofiane Guitoune, Virimi Vakatawa, Yoann Huget, Alivereti Raka, Damian Penaud, Maxime Medard, Thomas Ramos

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