France summon Ollivon for November Tests

rance coach Guy Noves called up Toulon flanker Charles Ollivon to replace the injured Bernard Le Roux in his 32-man squad announced yesterday for next month’s internationals.

Les Bleus play Samoa on November 12, followed by Australia on November 19 and the All Blacks a week later.

The 23-year-old twice capped Ollivon’s inclusion for next week’s training camp at French rugby headquarters at Marcoussis was the only surprise in Noves’ shortlist.

Ollivon had been an intended participant in a September training camp only to miss that with concussion.

“He has major qualities which interest us,” Noves told AFP. The France boss added: “We lost sight of him (last season) when he wasn’t playing for Toulon, he’s for sure been preparing for this moment in a very committed manner. “And perhaps this year he’s tasting the fruits of his work, and being in contact with high class players at Toulon.

“He’s playing regularly, has shown lots of character, scores tries...even in very hard games you saw Charles Ollivon.”

The only non-France based squad member in Noves’ squad is Louis Picamoles, who plays in the English Premiership as No.8 for Northampton.

France have won just three of seven internationals since Noves took over and finished a disappointing fifth in the Six Nations last season.

FRANCE SQUAD BACKS

Sebastien Bezy (Toulouse), Djibril Camara (Stade Francais), Jean-Marc Doussain (Toulouse), Gael Fickou (Toulouse), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Remi Lamerat (Clermont), Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92), Maxime Medard (Toulouse), Maxime Mermoz (Toulon), Jules Plisson (Stade FranÁais), Baptiste Serin (Bordeaux-Begles), Scott Spedding (Clermont), Francois TrinhDuc (Toulon), Virimi Vakatawa (unattached).

Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Eddy Ben Arous (Racing 92), Camille Chat (Racing 92), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Francais), Loann Goujon (Bordeaux-Begles), Kevin Gourdon (La Rochelle), Guilhem Guirado (Toulon), Paul Jedrasiak (Clermont), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92), Julien Le Devedec (Brive), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Louis Picamoles (Northampton/ENG), Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Begles), Rabah Slimani (Stade Francais), Sebastien Vahaamahina (Clermont). — AFP

Charles Ollivon