France name initial squad for mid-season England test

France coach Laurent Frayssinous has named a 30-man initial squad ahead of their mid-season international against England.

The bulk of the squad is made up of players from Catalans Dragons, who provide 15 players for the national squad.

Another large portion of the squad ply their trade at the only other full-time club in France, Toulouse, with eight players coming from the Championship club.

There are three players from the French Elite competition in the shape of Romain Franco (St-Esteve), Benjamin Jullien (Pia) and Louis Carre (Avignon).

Wakefield centre Samisoni Langi has been named in the France squad after playing in last year’s World Cup. Langi, who has previously represented Tonga, qualifies to play for France via the residency rule, having spent five years living in France between 2018-22.

Justin Sangare has made Frayssinous’ squad after an impressive start to life in England with his new club Leeds.

Mathieu Cozza and Louis Jouffret, both playing in the Championship with Featherstone and Halifax respectively, have both been included in the France squad.

France 30-man squad to face England

Lambert Belmas (Toulouse)

Julian Bousquet (Catalans)

Louis Carre (Avignon)

Tiaki Chan (Catalans)

Mathieu Cozza (Featherstone)

Alrix Da Costa (Catalans)

Jordan Dezaria (Catalans)

Romain Franco (St-Esteve)

Ben Garcia (Catalans)

Mickael Goudemand (Catalans)

Louis Jouffret (Halifax)

Benjamin Jullien (Pia)

Mathieu Jussaume (Toulouse)

Matthieu Laguerre (Catalans)

Samisoni Langi (Wakefield)

Pierre-Jean Lima (Toulouse)

Paul Marcon (Toulouse)

Anthony Marion (Toulouse)

Arthur Mourgue (Catalans)

Romain Navarrete (Catalans)

Eloi Pelissier (Toulouse)

Hugo Pezet (Toulouse)

Arthur Romano (Catalans)

Cesar Rouge (Catalans)

Justin Sangare (Leeds)

Bastien Scimone (Catalans)

Paul Seguier (Catalans)

Maxime Stefani (Toulouse)

Ugo Tison (Catalans)

Tanguy Zenon (Catalans)

Laurent Frayssinous to trim squad down

Frayssinous will cut the squad down from 30 to 20 ahead of their mid-season test against England in Warrington on April 29.

Frayssinous said: “This group of 30 players is logically made up in large majority of players who were in the group of the last World Cup.

“We want to continue what we have put in place but also start planning for the next events: the European Cup at the end of the year and the World Cup in 2025.

“There are therefore new players who join the France group thanks to their performances in their clubs. With the Elite selection or France B and I want them see it evolve in our environment.

“We are looking forward to facing the English on their turf in this test match. There is still time before the start of our preparation, I will reduce this group to 20 players in the coming days. From experience, I know that a lot can happen things.”

Tickets are now on sale for England’s double-header against France in Warrington on Saturday, April 29.

READ NEXT: French Elite players put their hands up for Super League moves