France have named their 40-man training squad ahead of the World Cup next month with the squad dominated by Super League players, predominantly from Catalans and Toulouse, but a surprise Hull FC man is named.
Amir Bourouh, who will actually join Catalans for 2027, has been named with the Huddersfield-born hooker potentially set to make his international debut. Interestingly, Alrix Da Costa, who will swap Catalans for Hull FC, has also been called up.
Bourouh, 25, qualifies to represent France as a heritage player and he is one of three Hull FC players named to the squad with the Black and Whites the best-represented Super League club from England.
Huddersfield Giants and Hull KR both boast two players, with Justin Sangare representing York, but the overwhelming majority of the squad hails from Catalans and Toulouse, with 13 Dragons selected and 11 Olympians.
There are also some former Super League stars included such as Theo Fages, whilst Catalans’ all-time try scorer Fouad Yaha is involved.
Just three players playing out of Australia are named though all have less than ten NRL games to their name. Lattrell Siegwalt played eight times for South Sydney this year, veteran Zacchary Santo has played three times in the NRL but last in 2017, whilst youngster Enzo Griffier debuted in pre-season.
Among the Super League players who headline the team is retiring Catalans forward Benjamin Garcia, as well as Hull KR full-back Arthur Mourgue, both of whom would be expected to start for Les Bleus.
France will be coached by Laurent Frayssinous, who it was recently confirmed will take up an assistant coach role with Catalans for 2027 as he returns from the NRL.
France’s squad will be whittled down ahead of the World Cup, with Les Tricolores set to play their group games against Samoa, England and Lebanon.
Super League stars dominate France World Cup squad
Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Leo Darrelatour, Julian Bousquet, Romain Navarrete, Franck Maria, Benjamin Garcia, Alrix Da Costa, Mickael Goudemand, Alexis Lis, Ugo Tison, Lenny Marc, Mathieu Laguerre, Clement Martin, (all Catalans Dragons), Benjamin Laguerre, Cesar Rouge, Thomas Lacans, Lambert Belmas, Tiaki Chan, Louis Grossemy, Mathieu Jussaume, Anthony Marion, Maxime Stefani, Pierre-Jean Lima, Romeo Tropis (all Toulouse Olympique), Amir Bourouh, Arthur Romano, Hugo Salabio (all Hull FC), Mathieu Cozza, Tanguy Zenon (both Huddersfield Giants), Jordan Dezaria, Arthur Mourgue (both Hull KR), Lucas Albert, Joe Drodrolagi, (both AS Carcassonne) Yacine Ben Adeslem, Theo Fages, (both Pia Donkeys) Lattrell Siegwalt (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Enzo Griffier (Sydney Roosters), Justin Sangare (York Knights), Fouad Yaha (Albi), Zacchary Santo (Limoux Grizzlies)
