Marconnet makes Bleus squad

No surprises for hosts

By Phil Jackson.   Last Updated: August 14, 2007 10:25am

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Marconnet: Still in rehab

Marconnet: Still in rehab

Sky Bet

France have taken a chance by naming injured prop Sylvain Marconnet in their 30-man World Cup squad.

The Stade Francais star has not played for the country since undergoing an operation to repair his fractured left shinbone in March.

Les Bleus' most capped prop will continue his rehabilitation with the World Cup hosts, in an effort to get fit for the first match of the tournament against Argentina on September 7.

Bernard Laporte's side impressed in the 21-15 victory away against world champions England on Saturday.

And the French have the chance to do the double over Brian Ashton's side when England travel to Marseille, a match which is live on Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm on Saturday.

Key quartet

Fears over injured quartet Pierre Mignoni (leg), Sebastien Chabal (calf), Fabien Pelous (shoulder) and Yannick Jauzion (back) have been allayed by scans.

The four have minor knocks, but make Laporte's squad nonetheless.

France have been drawn in Pool D for the tournament, alongside Ireland, Argentina, Georgia and Namibia.

Squad: Backs: Pierre Mignoni, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Frederic Michalak, David Skrela, Lionel Beauxis, Yannick Jauzion, Damien Traille, David Marty, Christophe Dominici, Cedric Heymans, Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Clement Poitrenaud. Forwards: Pieter de Villiers, Sylvain Marconnet, Olivier Milloud, Jean-Baptiste Poux, Raphael Ibanez, Sebastien Bruno, Dimitri Szarzewski, Sebastien Chabal, Fabien Pelous, Jerome

Thion, Lionel Nallet, Serge Betsen, Julien Bonnaire, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir, Yannick Nyanga, Remy Martin.