No World Cup Place For Castaignede in France Squad

In opting for a 17/13 forwards backs split, French coach Bernard Laporte was omitted Thomas Castaignede from his Rugby World Cup squad.

Castaignede, who earlier announced his retirement from club rugby, won his 54th cap against the All Blacks last week and although far from impressive in either Test, Laporte insists, the decision to omit him, wasn’t based on his performances in New Zealand but rather because of  the performances of other players. Given that the French suffered a record 61-10 defeat last time out and prior to that lost 42-11 in Eden Park it’s a rationale that is a little hard to understand.

France RWC Squad.

Forwards: S Marconnet, P De Villiers (both Stade Francais), O Milloud (Bourgoin), J-B Poux (Toulouse), R Ibanez (Wasps), S Bruno (Sale), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), F Pelous (Toulouse), L Nallet (Castres), J Thion (Biarritz), S Chabal (Sale), S Betsen, I Harinordoquy (both Biarritz), J Bonnaire (Bourgoin), E Vermeulen (Clermont-Auvergne), R Martin (Stade Francais), Y Nyanga (Toulouse).
Backs: P Mignoni (Clermont-Auvergne), J-B Elissalde (Toulouse), D Skrela, L Beauxis (Stade Francais), F Michalak, Y Jauzion (both Toulouse), D Traille (Biarritz), D Marty (Perpignan), C Dominici (Stade Francais), C Heymans, V Clerc (Toulouse), A Rougerie (Clermont-Auvergne), C Poitrenaud (Toulouse).