Louis Jouffret and Thomas Lasvenes added to France training squad

Former Featherstone half-back Louis Jouffret has been added to the France training squad ahead of the World Cup.

Jouffret, 25, has been in fine form in the French Elite Championship for Avignon this season, after his move to Ottawa Aces fell through due to their deferral.

He is one of two changes made by coach Laurent Frayssinous, the other being a call-up for prolific Villeneuve full-back Thomas Lasvenes.

Dropping out of the 34-man training squad is former Catalans half-back Lucas Albert, who suffered an injury with Carcassonne last month and was due to join up with Toulouse at the end of the French season.

The other player making way is Catalans prop Paul Seguier.

The squad will get together from May 30th to June 1st in Bordeaux.

Coach Frayssinous said: “I thank all the coaches, the leaders of the clubs which, despite their busy sporting calendars, continue to make their players available to France.

“Thus, we can continue the work started and in this a dedicated high-level executive, we are eagerly and passionately preparing for future events.”

Updated squad: Vincent Albert, Bastien Escamilla, Georgy Gambaro (all Carcassonne), Bastien Ader, Ilias Bergal, Remi Casty, Tony Gigot, Mathieu Jussaume, Mark Kheirallah, Anthony Marion, Eloi Pelissier, Maxime Puech, Justin Sangare (all Toulouse), Lambert Belmas, Justin Bousquet, Alrix Da Costa, Jordan Dezaria, Ben Garcia, Mickael Goudemand, Benjamin Jullien, Matthieu Laguerre, Corentin Le Cam, Arthur Mourge, Paul Seguier, Fouad Yaha (all Catalans), Morgan Escare (Salford), Theo Fages (St Helens), Romain Franco, Ugo Perez, Cesar Rouge (all St Esteve), Louis Jouffret (Avignon), Gavin Marguerite, Thomas Lasvenes (both Villeneuve), Romain Navarrete (London B), Gadwin Springer (Halifax)