Analyzing France’s World Cup training squad

France will aim to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time later this year – with Fabien Galthié announcing the 42 men selected to prepare for the World Cup.

With Antoine Dupond leading the side, Les Bleus claimed Grand Slam glory in 2022, before finishing second in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

Over the last four years, they have beaten every team they have faced at least once, including the world’s top ten and now the clock is ticking ahead of a World Cup on home soil.

So with a first training camp set for the start of July in Monaco, what are the big decisions facing Galthié and his coaching staff before trimming the squad to 33?

Can the kids crack the final squad?

The inclusion of Emilien Gailleton and Louis Bielle-Biarrey was not much of a shock, given that Under-20s coach Sébastien Calvet had already explained their absence from France’s Under-20s World Cup squad was due to senior commitments.

Both Pau centre Gailleton, who finished as the Top 14’s top try-scorer in his first season of top-flight rugby, and Bordeaux winger or full-back Bielle-Biarrey, were part of wider French squads during the Guinness Six Nations, training with the senior team.

Neither has been capped yet but such has been their progress over the season, it would be a surprise if they did not feature at some point in the Summer Series.

In the midfield, if Gaël Fickou and Jonathan Danty appear to be certain inclusions in the squad, Gailleton’s nose for the try-line, and ability to cover wing, could see him challenge Yoram Moefana and Arthur Vincent with likely two of the three making the final squad.

For Bielle-Biarrey, it may be more complicated. If France go with five back three players, then Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos and Gabin Villière should all make it, provided the latter proves his fitness after an injury-hit season.

That leaves Ethan Dumortier, a breakthrough performer in the Guinness Six Nations and full-backs Brice Dulin and Melvyn Jaminet, both starters at one point during Galthié’s time in charge, battling Bielle-Biarrey for two spots.

The Bordeaux youngster might be the most comfortable covering both wing and full-back, but would that be enough to sneak in? He would have to show a lot in the training camps and Summer Series matches.