France coach Fabien Galthie has grown frustrated with the constant speculation surrounding superstar scrumhalf Antoine Dupont ahead of next month’s Nations Championship campaign.
Speaking after naming a preliminary 33-man squad on Tuesday, Galthie dismissed questions about Dupont’s involvement, describing the ongoing debate as “bordering on annoying”.
The France captain was not included in the initial group selected for Tests against New Zealand, Australia and Japan. However, reports in France suggest Dupont remains in line to join the squad after Saturday’s Top 14 final between Toulouse and Montpellier.
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Under an agreement between the French Rugby Federation and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, Galthie will be allowed to add nine players from the Top 14 final to his touring party.
Those players would miss France’s opening clash against New Zealand in Christchurch on July 4, but could become available later in the campaign.
With Clermont scrumhalf Baptiste Jauneau dropping out of the squad, only two specialist No 9s have been selected in tour captain Maxime Lucu and Nolann Le Garrec, leaving room for Dupont should he be added after the domestic final.
“Let’s talk about the team leaving firstly,” Galthie told reporters.
“It’s bordering on annoying.”
France’s squad also features the return of record try-scorer Damian Penaud, who missed the entire Six Nations campaign despite helping Bordeaux-Begles claim Champions Cup glory this season.
Seven uncapped players have been included, among them Olympic gold medallists Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang and Theo Forner, as well as Australia-born prop Moses Alo-Emile and lock Tom Staniforth.
“We’re giving ourselves the right to be ambitious,” said Galthie.
“We’re giving ourselves the right to dream.”
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France fly to Brisbane this week before opening their Nations Championship campaign against the All Blacks. They then face Australia in Brisbane on July 11 before concluding the tour against Japan in Tokyo on July 18.
– AFP
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
The post Galthie fires back at ‘annoying’ Dupont questions appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
France coach Fabien Galthie has grown frustrated with the constant speculation surrounding superstar scrumhalf Antoine Dupont ahead of next month’s Nations Championship campaign.
The post Galthie fires back at ‘annoying’ Dupont questions appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
