Reinforcement for the Blues. As expected, and as planned by the agreements between the clubs and the FFR, five finalists of the last Top 14 will join the XV of France on tour in New Zealand.
These players, who played the final on Saturday June 28 at the Stade de France (Toulouse victory 39-33 after extra time), will therefore join the Blues by Fabien Galkié, who challenge the All Blacks at home during three Test-Matchs (July 5, 12 and 19).
On the side of the Toulouse French Champions, the Pierre-Louis Barassi Center (27, 7 selections) and the second line Joshua Brennan (23, no selection), both holders in the final, are on the trip.
Among the unhappy finalists of the UBB, the Center Nicolas Depoortère (22 years old, 2 selections) and two third lines without selection, Pierre Bochaton (24 years old) and Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer (28), were called.
The participation of finalists of Top 14 in a summer tour of the XV of France had not arrived for several years, the objective being to allow the players who had a long season of being able to rest.
But for this trip to New Zealand, several players from the Blues had expressed the desire to participate and the Federation and the National Rugby League have reached an agreement.
Arrival scheduled for Wednesday in New Zealand
Finally, except for Barassi, returned to force among the Blues during the last tournament of the Six Nations, no other executive in the XV of France is there. Many are injured (Dupont, Mauvaka, Ntamack, Atonio). The others (Alldritt, merchant, jelonch) were still left to rest.
The five players called after the final are expected on Wednesday in New Zealand to complete the group – which will then go to 42 players – but must not participate in the first of the three Test -Matchs against the All Blacks, scheduled for Saturday in Dunedin.
The back of the Stade Français Léo Barré, which remained in France to treat a crutch, must arrive on the same plane as them.
The other two meetings against the All Blacks are scheduled on July 12 in Wellington and then on the 19th in Hamilton.
