SA-born lock Paul Willemse has been named in hosts France’s World Cup squad by Fabien Galthie, with flanker Anthony Jelonch also included despite nursing a serious knee injury.
Jelonch, 27, made the last of his 25 Test appearances in February when he ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in the Six Nations victory over Scotland.
Les Bleus open the World Cup by facing three-time winners New Zealand in Paris on 8 September. They then play Uruguay six days later, Namibia on 21 September and end their Pool A campaign against Italy on 6October.
Jelonch’s club teammate, prop Cyril Baille, is also included but is suffering from a calf issue. Galthie expects him to return by the middle of next month.
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Last week, France suffered a setback when first-choice flyhalf Romain Ntamack was ruled out of the tournament with a serious knee injury.
Galthie has chosen not to pick a third No 10 with fullback Thomas Ramos able to cover Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Hastoy.
Youngster Louis Bielle-Biarrey as well as two-time Champions Cup winner Paul Boudehent also get the nod, despite only making their Test debuts earlier this month.
Scrumhalf Baptiste Serin, flanker Dylan Cretin as well as experienced fullback Brice Dulin, who captained the side in the loss by Scotland on 5 August, miss out but will remain as back-up to the squad.
The French end their World Cup preparations against Australia in Paris on Sunday.
Full France squad:
Props: Cyril Baille, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Reda Wardi, Uini Atonio, Dorian Aldegheri, Sipili Falatea.
Hookers: Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Pierre Bourgarit.
Locks: Thibaud Flament, Paul Willemse, Romain Taofifenua, Cameron Woki.
Loose forwards: Gregory Alldritt, Paul Boudehent, Francois Cros, Sekou Macalou, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch.
Scrumhalves: Antoine Dupont (c), Maxime Lucu, Baptiste Couilloud.
Flyhalves: Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Hastoy.
Wings: Damian Penaud, Gabin Villiere, Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Centres: Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Arthur Vincent, Yoram Moefana.
Fullbacks: Thomas Ramos, Melvyn Jaminet.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: @PaulWillemse4/Twitter