World Cup snub for Trinh-Duc; Planet Rugby

France head coach Philippe Saint-André has announced his 31-man squad for the World Cup, with fly-half François Trinh-Duc one glaring omission.

Frédéric Michalak and Rémi Tales are the two number tens selected, with Rory Kockott, Morgan Parra, Sébastien Tillous-Borde the French scrum-halves.

Despite having struggled with a recent knee injury, captain Thierry Dusautoir is named and joined by Bernard Le Roux, Yannick Nyanga, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Damien Chouly and Louis Picamoles as the back-row options for les Bleus.

Missing the final cut along with Trinh-Duc is prop Xavier Chiocci, lock Sébastien Vahaamahina, number eight Loann Goujon and centre Rémi Lamerat.

France, who impressed in victory over England on Saturday, are drawn in the same pool as Ireland, Italy, Canada and Romania at the Rugby World Cup.

France's 31-man squad

Forwards: Uini Atonio, Eddy Ben Arous, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado, Benjamin Kayser, Dimitri Szarzewski, Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Papé, Thierry Dusautoir (c), Bernard Le Roux, Yannick Nyanga, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Damien Chouly, Louis Picamoles. 

Backs: Rory Kockott, Morgan Parra, Sébastien Tillous-Borde, Frédéric Michalak, Rémi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud, Alexandre Dumoulin, Gaël Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Brice Dulin, Sofiane Guitoune, Yoann Huget, Noa Nakaitaci, Scott Spedding.

I don't know enough about these players to know how many of each position the chose, e.g. how many 9s, 10, props, locks, etc. Would be interesting to know as we may see a trend when we look at the Wobblie selections also.

Props: Uini Atonio, Eddy Ben Arous, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Rabah Slimani,

Hookers: Guilhem Guirado, Benjamin Kayser, Dimitri Szarzewski,

Locks: Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Papé,

Backrow: Thierry Dusautoir (c), Bernard Le Roux, Yannick Nyanga, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Damien Chouly, Louis Picamoles.

Scrumhalves: Rory Kockott, Morgan Parra, Sébastien Tillous-Borde,

Flyhalves: Frédéric Michalak, Rémi Tales,

Centers: Mathieu Bastareaud, Alexandre Dumoulin, Gaël Fickou, Wesley Fofana,

Outside backs: Brice Dulin, Sofiane Guitoune, Yoann Huget, Noa Nakaitaci, Scott Spedding.


It's quite different to the wallies' squad (with only 2 hookers and 2 scrumies), PSA chose just 3 locks to have place for the 6 backrowers (since I think that both Le Roux and Picamoles could cover the lock) while 2 flyhalves and 5 outside backs (Parra can play flyhalf)

We have heard about Hansen possibly taking one less lock so he can have more backrowers. We have also heard about him taking one less 9 so he can have one more 10 (with Slade covering 9, 10, wing and 15). 
We will have to wait and see but certainly the thinking for this RWC in terms of numbers for positions is more open.

 the versatile players who can play in more than one position give coaches more options. Players like Slade or Kaino are very valuable for a WC.
The usual 17-14 forwards/backline split with 5 props, 3 hookers, 4 locks, 5 backrowers, 3 scrumies, 3 flyhaves, 4 centers and 4 outside backs can be altered whith these players and there's no problem. But Cheika could have one bringing only 2 hookers.