France head coach Jacques Brunel has confirmed his 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year and has left out some key men.
The likes of Mathieu Bastareaud, Morgan Parra, Teddy Thomas and Uini Atonio have all failed to make the cut for the squad and even missed out on the list of six players that are back-up players.
Bastareaud departed Toulon for the US, heading to Rugby United New York to try out Major League Rugby, however, he was used a lot during this year’s Six Nations and is a surprise exclusion.
30-year-old scrum-half Parra was dropped during the Six Nations in what was a “sporting choice” by the head coach after the team’s 44-8 hammering at the hands of England.
Parra made comments towards the structure in which the coaching staff trained the national side following the game and it is thought this is why he was left out previously and perhaps why he misses out once more.
Flying Racing 92 winger Thomas was also punished during the tournament earlier this year for incidents during a night out in Edinburgh and it appears as though he is yet to be forgiven.
Atonio is the least surprising, but it was still thought that his shear power could be used to France’s advantage during the tournament. Especially in a group which features England, Argentina, USA and Tonga, all of which have heavy hitters.
On the other hand, Wesley Fofana, who announced he would retire from the international stage at the end of the World Cup has been included.
If France fail to deliver on the biggest stage of all fans will point towards the calls made in the squad selection particularly the omitting of such experienced players and leaders in Bastareaud and Parra.
