Minga is called up by France

FRANCE have named Papua New Guinea-born threequarter Kuni Minga in an initial 32-strong squad to prepare for the 2017 World Cup.

The French Federation say the 24-year-old centre or winger qualifies on residency grounds, having spent the last three seasons with Toulouse, but they will need dispensation from the Rugby League International Federation to play him after the rules were recently changed.

An RLIF spokesman said: “The residency rule is five years dating back from the matchdate in question. FFRXIII has not attempted to clear the player yet and therefore he will not be permitted to play until cleared.”

In the meantime, Minga will be joined by his Toulouse teammates Bastien Ader, Clement Boyer, Bastien Canet and Stan Robin at a training camp organised by head coach Aurelien Cologni in Le Barcares from July 26-27. Also named are London Broncos duo William Barthau and John Boudebza while 17 of the 32 ply their trade in Super League, including 10 from Catalans Dragons, whose new head coach Steve McNamara has already pledged his support to Cologni.

“I met Aurelien who has explained his plans for the international team and his requirements,” said McNamara, who was head coach of England from 2010-15 and briefly assistant with New Zealand before taking up his new role in Perpignan.

“He’s spoken about the help and assistance he needs from the Catalans Dragons and being a previous international coach - I understand the difficulties in that job.

“We’ll try and provide as much assistance as we can but obviously I’ll be trying to protect our own situation at the same time. It’s about co-operation between the two parties to try to find the balance.”

B Ader (Toulouse), O Arnaud (Avignon), J Baitieri (Catalans Dragons), W Barthau (London Broncos), G Bonnet (Lezignan), J Boudebza (London Broncos), J Bousquet (Catalans Dragons), C Boyer (Toulouse), W Buche (Lezignan), B Canet (Toulouse), D Cardace (Lezignan), R Casty (Catalans Dragons), V Duport (Catalans Dragons), T Fages (St Helens), S Robin (Toulouse), B Garcia (Catalans Dragons), T Gigot (Catalans Dragons), M Herold (Limoux), B Jullien (Warrington), K Larroyer (Castleford), T Margalet (Catalans Dragons), R Marginet (Sheffield), A Maria (Leigh), H Miloudi (Carcassonne), K Minga (Toulouse), R Navarette (Wigan), E Pelissier (Leigh), A Romano (Catalans Dragons), M Rouch (Limoux), M Simon (Catalans Dragons), G Springer (Castleford), F Yaha (Catalans Dragons).