Most unusually we have now had three national squads announced on the same day.
François Ratier has published the names of 38 players to form his second training squad.
They are:
Forwards: AMALIA BAZOLA, ROSE BERNADOU, AXELLE BERTHOUMIEU, YLLANA BROSSEAU, LEA CHAMPON, KHOUDEDIA CISSOKO, CLOE CORREA, CELIA DOMAIN, CHARLOTTE ESCUDERO, MADOUSSOU FALL RACLOT, MANAE FELEU, LEA GABRIAGUES, JULIA GROSZ, ASSIA KHALFAOUI, MATHILDE LAZARKO, AMBRE MWAYEMBE, ELSA PEYRAS, ELISA RIFFONNEAU, LOU ROBOAM, SOBEHIAN SOQETA, OIHANA BELMONTE, KIARA ZAGO (22)
Backs: CARLA ARBEZ, PAULINE BARRAT, EMILIE BOULARD, PAULINE BOURDON SANSUS, MORGANE BOURGEOIS, OCEANE BUISSON, ALEXANDRE CHAMBON, ANAIS GRANDO, JOANNA GRISEZ, MARIE IBANEZ, LOUEN LAMARY, LEA MURIE, LINA QUEYROI, AUBANE ROUSSET, AELIG TREGUET, GABRIELLE VERNIER (16)
This is a refinement of Ratier’s earlier squad that I discussed on these pages on 10 February.
But the less familiar names are not taken exclusively from the all-conquering age-group sides that have terrorised Europe.
Players like Buisson, Rousset and Peyras have been around for some years. Ratier has seen fit to promote their careers.
It’s good to see such a thoroughly Breton name as Aelig Treguet included.
These four merely add to the strength of the squad. Players who have guided teams like Romagnat and Stade Toulousain to great things this season deserve this recognition.
But those youngsters are still there in profusion.
Potential
To my mind, this helps to make les Bleues one of the most intriguing of the new-build sides around. They are likely to have massive power up front. Correa and Zago could add to Fall Raclot’s immense presence at lock.
One of the coaching staff’s major tasks will be to ensure they can build two front rows to match the best the 6N has to offer.
I assume Escudero will be offered the No 8 shirt. Much will depend on her ability to control events from that pivotal position.
Out behind PBS and Gaby Vernier can lead their troops a dance, and Joanna Grisez runs past people as if they’re statues.
Finally, any infringement committed by careless opponents within 50 metres of their own line is likely to result in another three points kicked by the markswoman supreme, Morgane Bourgeois.
What’s left unsaid
As usual the FFR announcement adds few details.
It’s hard to tell whether players like Kelly Arbey are now permanently attached to the 7s squad or just absent injured. The names Agathe Gerin and Teani Feleu are also missing.
As with the Scottish and Welsh groups announced today, six players will be omitted from the final squad. Our commiserations go to them, but that’s the name of the game.
