Rugby World Cup: Boudehent and Bielle-Biarrey, the two surprises on the list of Blues

Less than three weeks before the start of the Rugby World Cup, the names of the 33 players selected to represent France were revealed on Monday by Fabien Galthié. The coach of the XV of France wants to surround himself with the best elements to try to win a first title of world champion. Among the 33 names announced, two are newcomers.

Paul Boudehent, the player with “remarkable performance”

These are the only two surprises in this group concocted by coach Fabien Galthié. The Rochelais Paul Boudehent, 23, and the Bordelais Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 21, will, barring injury, adventure with the XV of France. For Paul Boudehent, in addition to his talent, the timing worked in favor of the third line, according to the coach. “He imposed himself in the club. He made remarkable performances and then, he was ripe to enter the 42. And as I often say, to get into the locker room, you have to make your place, you have to go look for this jersey and there has to be room. For Paul, there was a little room at that time”, he explains.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey in “the 42 best French players”

For Louis Bielle-Biarrey, observed for a long time, it seemed obvious to Fabien Galthié. “Often, we asked ourselves the question, do we take it to Heaven on Wednesdays or do we leave them? And then we worked again with the under 20s in June, before to announce the list with the players who were part of the clubs eliminated from the final stages and the quarter-finals. We said today, he is among the 42 best French players, “he continues.

This chance, Émilien Gailleton did not know it. At 20, the youngest of the bygone group of 42 is a reservist. But Fabien Galthié hammered it, he does not only count on 33 players.