Dupont back in France squad for November tests

PARIS : Antoine Dupont returned to the French squad for the first time since last year’s World Cup as 42 players were named by coach Fabien Galthie on Wednesday for the three November tests against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.

Dupont, 27, has not played for the full team since the quarter-final loss to South Africa in Paris in October, though he has since gone on to win an Olympic gold medal with the French sevens rugby team.

The internationals are the first for France since a controversy-laden tour of Argentina in July, overshadowed by the arrest of two French players on rape charges, and the sending home, and subsequent lengthy suspension, of fullback Melvyn Jaminet for racist comments on social media.

France rested many key players for the trip to South America but are back to near full strength for the November internationals, save for yet another injury to flyhalf Romain Ntamack after a calf tear in domestic league action two weeks and the sidelining of hooker Julien Marchand.

Galthie called up five new players in Tonga-born tighthead Tevita Tatafu, who has qualified after five years of residency, Toulouse second rower Joshua Brennan, and the Bordeaux Begles’ loose forwards Marko Gazzoti and Pierre Bochaton.

The 21-year-old Toulouse centre Paul Costes also received a first summons to the squad.

France take on Japan on Nov. 9, New Zealand on Nov. 16 and Argentina on Nov. 22, all at the Stade de France in Paris.

Squad:

Forwards: Gregory Aldritt, Uini Antonio (both Stade Rochelais), Gaetan Barlot (Castres), Pierre Bochaton (Bordeaux Begles), Paul Boudehent (Stade Rochelais), Joshua Brennan (Stade Toulousain), Georges-Henri Colombe (Stade Rochelais), Francois Cros, Thibaud Flament (both Stade Toulousain), Marko Gazzotti