Louis Picamoles was contained in the 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup of France.
After head coach Jacques Brunel favored him to Francois 34, the 33-year-old, who’s expected to quit international rugby will take part in his third World Cup.
The list was drawn from a preliminary group of 37, together with Romain Taofifenua omitted along with Felix Lambey.
France will take on Tonga, Argentina, England and the United States
“We picked (Picamoles) after a couple of pleasant performances and owing to his expertise,” Brunel said.
“We also picked a player who can play second and third row in Arthur Iturria.”
Aimed up for the tournament with wins against Scotland and Italy, and also a defeat from the Scots.
They were far from impressive however Brunel thinks they can cause an upset in Japan, using a clash against Argentina on September 21 their very first outing.
“The favorites are constantly the same. The number one favorites would be the Blacks,” he said.
“This group is a good mix of experience and youth, it’s a great balance. The Pool is tough but we expect to get really very far in this championship,” additional Brunel, who added five half-backs in his squad – scrum-halves Baptiste Serin, Antoine Dupont and Maxime Machenaud along with fly-halves Camille Lopez and Romain Ntamack.
“Together with five halfbacks we are ready for every possibility,” Brunel clarified.
Before flying to Japan on 18, the squad will gather.
France’s 31-man 2019 Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Bgles), Rabah Slimani (Clermont), Demba Bamba (Lyon), Emerick Setiano (Toulon), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Guilhem Guirado (Montpellier, cap.) , Camille Chat (Recruitment 92), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Sebastien Vahaamahina (Clermont), Paul Gabrillagues (Stade Franais), Arthur Iturria (Clermont), Bernard Le Roux (Racing 92), Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Louis Picamoles (Montpellier), Yacouba Camara (Montpellier), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92).
Backs: Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Baptiste Serin (Toulon), Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92), Camille Lopez (Clermont), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Gael Fickou (Stade Franais), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Sofiane Guitoune (Toulouse), Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Alivereti Raka (Clermont), Damian Penaud (Clermont), Maxime Medard (Toulouse), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse). (Reporting from Julien Pretot; Testing by Christian Radnedge)

Read more: http://www.iteamstudio.com/goals-are-way-up-in-the-nhl-this-year-is-it-a-trend-or-an-anomaly/