5 new called with the Blues. As expected, the finalists of the Top 14 who join the Fabien Galkié group were announced this Monday, June 30. No Thomas Ramos, Maxime Lucu or Matthieu Jalibert, the only used regulars are Pierre-Louis Barassi and Nicolas Depoortère. They are accompanied by inexperienced (at least in blue) Joshua Brennan, Pierre Bochaton and Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer.
The center of Toulouse Pierre-Louis Barassi and his UBB counterpart Nicolas Depoortère will join the XV of France for the tour in New Zealand after having played the final of the Top 14, announced this Monday, June 30, the French Rugby Federation (FFR). Barassi (27, 7 selections) and Depoortère (22 years old, 2 selections), are accompanied by three other finalists, forwards without any cape with the Blues: the Bordelo-Béglais Pierre Bochaton (24) and Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer (28 years old) and the Toulousain Joshua Brennan (23).
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XV of France: “The French always find excuses!” Why legends of All Blacks violently criticize the Blues and Fabien Garthié
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 had reached an agreement.
Framers left at rest
Finally, except for Barassi, returned to force among the Blues during the last VI Nations tournament, no other executive in the XV of France is there. Many are injured (Dupont, Mauvaka, Ntamack, Atonio); The others were still left at rest for this tour, without it being a real surprise. After an exhausting season, Ramos, Lucu, Jalibert, Moefana, Penaud or Bielle-Biarrey will not get the blue jersey this summer.
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XV of France: The Blues lose two major players before the first shock of the summer tour against New Zealand
The five players are expected this Wednesday, July 2 in New Zealand to complete the group, which will then go to 42 players, but should not participate in the first of the three test matches against the All Blacks, scheduled this Saturday July 6 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 Wellingon and then on the 19th in Hamilton.
