After the final of the Top 14 won by Toulouse against Bordeaux-Bègles, Fabien Galkié completed his group for the tour in New Zealand with two Toulousains and three Girondins.
Fabien Galkié made his choice. The Convention binding the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the National Rugby League (LNR) provided that the Top 14 finalists were not selectable for the tour in New Zealand. However, under pressure from several internationals wishing to have the opportunity to play against the All Blacks on their land, a last minute agreement opened the door for five players.
However, there was the condition that the elements concerned did not have too important playing time this season. Barely 48 hours after the success of the Toulouse stadium against the Union Bordeaux-Bègles, the technical supervision of the XV of France unveiled the names of the five happy elected officials who will make the trip to New Zealand to participate in the last two test match between the Blues and the All Blacks. Regarding Toulouse, two players were called. The second-line Joshua Brennan and the three-quarter Pierre-Louis Barassi are expected this Wednesday with the rest of the group who arrived at the antipodes last week.
Three “bizuths” among the called
While the son of Trevor Brennan is called in selection for the first time, his club teammate is broken to the exercise, having already worn the tricolor jersey seven times. Regarding Bordeaux-Bègles, there are three to make the trip to the southern hemisphere. These are the third-lines Pierre Bochaton and Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, of which it will be the first contact with international rugby, but also the three-quarter Center Nicolas Depoortere, the only two selections with the Blues date back to the 6 nations 2024 tournament. The name of Marko Gazzotti had been a time mentioned but third-line 14.
Faced with the forced absences of executives such as Antoine Dupont or Peato Mauvaka but also to the choice of leaving players such as Julien Marchand or Anthony Jelonch, Fabien Galkié opted for players who do not have an international experience to complete his group. Five players who will be accompanied on the plane by Léo Barré. Victim of a crutch in training before the match won by France A in England, the back of the Stade Français remained in France to recover before joining the Tricolore group.
