Which 10 will PSA leave at home

After France coach Philippe Saint-Andre named his 36 man training squad for the World Cup today there were few surprise call-ups. However the players selected are not yet guaranteed a place in the squad and Philippe Saint-Andre will still have a few decisions to make when he finalises his squad. The most difficult decision he will have to make will be what outhalf’s to bring to England.

In his 36 man squad he has included three outhalf’s with Francois Trinh-Duc, Remi Tales and Frederic Michalak all making the training squad. The only shock is that Camille Lopez who started three of France’s 6 Nations games has been omitted from the squad. Lopez chances of making the squad are as good as over with Saint-Andre still hoping that Jules Plisson recovers in time from a shoulder injury to make the squad.

That now leaves France with no standout first choice 10. Remi Tales has always been spoken about going onto to hold down the number 10 jersey but the Castres man has been unlucky picking up injuries before International games. We then discuss the erratic Frederic Michalak who has earned a recall to the squad.  After making his debut for France in 2001 Michalak has been in and out of the French squad and was omitted from the final squad for this years 6 Nations. Philippe Saint-Andre will now have to decide if he is gonna pick a player who could produce a match winning performance or cost his side dearly and revert back to his erratic playing style.

As of now you would have to fancy Trinh-Duc to be selected for the final squad. The Montpellier man was injured for both the Autumn Series and the 6 Nations and has not had too many bad outings for Les Bleus. He is also one of the few survivors who was selected for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

With Trinh-Duc looking like making the final squad that leaves Tales, Michalak and if fit Plisson to battle it out for the final seat on the plane. The training squad will give Saint-Andre a look at the players in action but the warm-up games will be the real test for the trio before Saint-Andre names his final squad in late August.