Guy Noves announces France squad for autumn Tests
Tuesday 5 November 2019 13:34, UK
Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been recalled to the France squad for the upcoming autumn internationals.
The forthcoming series consists of two meetings with New Zealand before Test matches against South Africa and Japan.
The first take on the world champions is on November 11 at Stade de France and it will be followed by a 'French XV' facing the All Blacks three days later at the Groupama Stadium, Lyon.
Noves has named 32 individuals that will prepare for that first Test and among them is Bastareaud.
The 29-year-old last played for his country at the 2015 World Cup and although he was called up as cover during last year's Six Nations, he didn't feature.
"Mathieu looks calm right now, he has made progress in certain areas and is performing 80 percent of the time on the whole. He is naturally coming back," said the head coach, whose team lost three Tests against South Africa in June.
Noves has named a number of uncapped players within the 32 preparing for the opening Test.
The new faces include La Rochelle duo Geoffrey Doumayrou and Gabriel Lacroix and Toulon's 21-year-old fly-half Anthony Belleau.
The second squad, comprising of 14 players, includes Toulouse's second-rower Yoann Maestri, Maxime Machenaud, Gaël Fickou and Camille Chat.
Following both Tests against New Zealand, Noves' side will face South Africa on November 18 before hosting Japan a week later.
France squad to prepare for first Test against New Zealand:
Mathieu Bastareaud, Anthony Belleau, Judicaël Cancoriet, Raphaël Chaume, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Nans Ducuing, Antoine Dupont, Paul Gabrillagues, Kevin Gourdon, Antoine Guillamon, Guuilhem Guirado, Yoann Huget, Anthony Jelonch, Daniel Kotze, Gabriel Lacroix, Felix Lambey, Rémi Lamerat, Clément Maynadier, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Damian Penaud, Louis Picamoles, Jefferson Poirot, Baptiste Serin, Rabah Slimani, Scott Spedding, Romain Taofifenua, Marco Tauleigne, Teddy Thomas, Christopher Tolofua, François Trinh-Duc, Sébastien Vahaamahina, Virimi Vakatawa.
Additional players to prepare for second Test:
Hugo Bonneval, Camille Chat, Henry Chavancy, Gaël Fickou, Malik Hamadache, Paul Jedrasiak, Bernard Le Roux, Yann Lesgourgues, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Machenaud, Yoann Maestri, Jules Plisson, Lucas Pointud, Dany Priso.
