The nineteen French players who participated in the Barbarians' big victory against England (52-21) will be in the group of 42 for the Blues tour in Japan, the coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié announced on Sunday.
“
There, at the end of the match, they were told that the nineteen players were selected.
So there are already nineteen players who are going to Japan who are there, except for injury
, "said the French coach who led the "
Baabaas
".
“
We made our group yesterday (Saturday), we will communicate it tomorrow (Monday)
”, he added.
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The pillars Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Sipili Falatea (Clermont) and Dany Priso (La Rochelle), the hookers Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle) and Christopher Tolofua (Toulon), the second row Thomas Lavault (La Rochelle), the third lines Dylan Cretin (Lyon), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Sekou Macalou (Stade français) and Yoan Tanga (Racing 92), scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon) and Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92), openers Antoine Hastoy ( Pau) and Louis Carbonel (Toulon), centers Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92) and Tani Vili (Clermont), winger Damian Penaud (Clermont) and rear Max Spring (Racing 92) will therefore be part of the summer tour in Japan , just like the winger of Oyonnax (Pro D2) Thomas Laclayat.
The British Barbarians have passed eight tries to the English, who will go to Australia for their summer tour.
"
For us and for the young players, it was a new experience
", underlined Galthié, "
it was a week of learning
".
Emulation and competition
“
There are only a few players who knew the international level like Damien Penaud or Charles Ollivon but the others want to join the team and it was fantastic for competition, emulation, for team spirit.
They learned a lot on and off the pitch
,” added the French coach, who particularly appreciated the defensive intensity displayed by the players.
“
For three years, Shaun (Edwards, the French defensive coach, editor's note) has been laying the foundations of our rugby because attack only exists through defense.
It's a good defense that gives us good attack balls
, ”he explained.
Despite his position between a busy end to the season and a distant tour, he believes that this type of match will help the French team in the long term.
“
To reach this level was great, but we want to continue, like today, to help young players progress.
We didn't have a lot of training, but we had two intensive days which were good preparation for the tour in Japan
, ”assured the coach.
The Blues are due to face the Cherry Blossoms on July 2 and 9.