France: Gabin Villiere and Matthieu Jalibert return ahead of Wales clash
Gabin Villiere - PA
Wing Gabin Villiere and fly-half Matthieu Jalibert have been included in the French 42-man training squad preparing for the match against Wales on March 12.
Both return from injury; Villiere from a facial injury sustained against Ireland, Jalibert from a longer-lasting thigh problem suffered in January.
New face
Wing Teddy Thomas also returns to the preparation squad having made his first Top 14 appearance for six weeks against Castres last weekend, while there is a first inclusion for Bordeaux lock Thomas Jolmes.
The 26-year-old Jolmes has been a standout performer in Bordeaux’s engine-room this season, for his size – 2m 4cm and 125kg – and plentiful bright red hair, as well as his work-rate and skills.
In the absence of team-mate Cameron Woki (also with France) and Argentinean Guido Petti through injury, Jolmes has been Bordeaux’s go-to man in the line-out, while he delivered an all-action man-of-the-match performance against Racing 92 a fortnight ago.
France’s 42-man training squad
Forwards: Uini Atonio, Cyril Baille, Demba Bamba, Sipili Falatea, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mohamed Haouas, Jérôme Rey, Gaëtan Barlot, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Thibaud Flament, Thomas Jolmes, Thomas Lavault, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Willemse, Cameron Woki, Grégory Alldritt, Alexandre Bécognée, Paul Boudehent, Dylan Cretin, François Cros, Anthony Jelonch, Jordan Joseph
Backs: Baptiste Couilloud, Antoine Dupont, Maxime Lucu, Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Jonathan Danty, Jules Favre, Gaël Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Virimi Vakatawa, Matthis Lebel, Damian Penaud, Donovan Taofifenua, Teddy Thomas, Gabin Villière, Brice Dulin, Melvyn Jaminet, Thomas Ramos