Well the squad of 30 is named on Thursday and the Midi Olympique have given a few clues as to who will make it. Going by position:
Props: Poux and Barcella look the most likely at loosehead, Domingo and Forestier's injuries and Schuster's poor form make it tough to see who else would make it. At tighthead it's a little trickier with Clement Ric at Clermont playing well, and only 23, but Ducalcon had a great game against Perpignan, while Mas has generally been very good since the WC.
My choices (reserve in brackets): Poux, Barcella, Mas, Ducalcon (Ric)
Hookers: Servat and Szarzewski are automatic choices, and Kayser looks like the most likely candidate for the third spot, although it doesn't really matter as whoever it is will barely play.
Servat, Szarzewski, Kayser (Roumieu)
Second Row: It's time for Maestri to get his chance at international level, and he looks to be playing very well for Toulouse. Nallet will probably get one last Six Nations, while Papé has been in fantastic form for Stade Français. That leaves a final spot for one of Pierre, Millo-Chluski or maybe a youngster like De Marco at Montpellier.
Maestri, Nallet, Papé, Pierre (De Marco)
Back Row: Dusautoir is a certainty, and Bonnaire will definitely be in as well. It seems Hari might be a little short fitness-wise because of injury but I still expect him to make it. Picamoles on current form has to be there, and start, which means no place for Lakafia imo. Ouedraogo did well on his return from injury and should be part of the squad while Nyanga seems set for a recall.
Dusautoir, Bonnaire, Hari, Ouedraogo, Nyanga, Picamoles (Diarra)
Scrum-halves: Parra should be first choice imo, and after a great start to the season I think Dupuy is ahead of Yachvili who needs a few more games. Doussain misses out for a lack of gametime behind Burgess, though I think he is looking good.
Parra, Dupuy (Doussain)
Fly-halves: Trinh-Duc will be first choice quite rightly, and in the last couple of weeks Beauxis has probably just sneaked into the backup spot. A little harsh on Wisniewski but the few weeks where Hernandez was starting at ten have cost him.
Trinh-Duc, Beauxis (Wisniewski)
Centres: Fritz has been in exceptional form, while Fofana has impressed at 12 for Clermont. I'd expect Rougerie to make it which means there isn't really space for a third 13 and David misses out. The options at 12 are a bit thin on the ground so Mermoz keeps his spot. Basta isn't ready yet imo while Doumayrou and Chavancy aren't there either.
Mermoz, Fofana, Rougerie, Fritz (David)
Back three: Clerc is guaranteed a spot, and Medard and Palisson will probably get in as well, although neither is in great form. Malzieu ought to return and Poitrenaud might be worth a gamble after a great start to the season, though his injury came at a bad time. Otherwise Buttin at Clermont looks a real talent but might have to wait until the summer.
Clerc, Medard, Palisson, Malzieu, Poitrenaud (Buttin)
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30-12-2011, 08:11 PM
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