Veteran duo recalled to France squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup

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Veteran duo recalled to the France squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup France: Split with Baptiste Serin and Brice Dulin

Baptiste Serin and Brice Dulin are notable inclusions in France head coach Fabien Galthie’s training squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup later this year.

The pair have not been in the selection picture for Les Bleus for some time but had great seasons, contributing to the success Toulon and La Rochelle had in European competition.

Several new faces

Of the 42 in the squad, four are uncapped, with front-row Thomas Laclayat and flank Paul Boudehent the new faces in forwards. Meanwhile, U20 duo Emilien Gailleton and Louis Bielle-Biarrey were both left out of the age group squad for the World Championship to train with the senior national side.

There are 10 Toulouse stars, headlined by captain Antoine Dupont and Top 14 final hero Romain Ntamack.

Arthur Vincent returns to the fold after struggling with knee injuries over the last two seasons and can add value in the centres and at wing.

Back-rower Anthony Jelonch and prop Sipili Falatea are both in a race against time to be fit for the tournament and have been excluded from the squad through injury.

Galthie has also left Toulouse lock Emmanuel Meafou out of the squad, as World Rugby has not yet cleared him to represent France. He also sustained an injury in the Top 14 final, which could sideline him for up to eight weeks.

France begins their Summer Series, which consists of four games, with a clash against Scotland in Edinburgh on August 5.

Galthie will then cut his squad down to 33 players on August 21 as the side prepares for a home World Cup.

France training squad

Forwards: Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Reda Wardi (La Rochelle), Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Thomas Laclayat (Racing), Demba Bamba (Lyon), Bastien Chalureau (Montpellier), Thibaud Flament (Toulouse), Romain Taofifenua (Lyon), Paul Willemse (Montpellier), Cameron Woki (Racing), Florian Verhaeghe (Montpellier), Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle), François Cros (Toulouse), Sekou Macalou (Stade Français), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Yoan Tanga (La Rochelle), Dylan Cretin (Lyon)

Backs: Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Begles), Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon), Baptiste Serin (Toulon), Antoine Hastoy (La Rochelle), Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle), Gael Fickou (Racing), Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Bègles), Emilien Gailleton (Pau), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Begles), Ethan Dumortier (Lyon), Damian Penaud (Bordeaux-Begles), Gabin Villière (Toulon), Brice Dulin (La Rochelle), Melvyn Jaminet (Toulouse), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)

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