Tony Gigot one of eight Catalans players in France squad for autumn internationals

Tony Gigot, Morgan Escare and Theo Fages have all been named in a strong France squad for their autumn internationals.

Gigot is one of eight players from Catalans Dragons to be involved in Aurelien Cologni’s French squad. He is joined by team-mates Lucas Albert, Jason Baitieri, Alrix Da Costa, Benjamin Jullien, Mickael Goudemand, Lambert Belmas and Thibaud Margalet.

Catalans trio Remi Casty, Mika Simon and Vincent Duport have all retired from the international game.

Toulouse full-back Mark Kheirallah and Catalans forward Antoni Maria have asked not to be included so they can have a longer rest over pre-season.

Catalans forwards Ben Garcia and Julian Bousquet have both been ruled out of the autumn internationals, with the pair having arm and finger operations respectively.

France will face Serbia and England Knights in warm-up games ahead of fixtures against Wales, Ireland and Scotland in the European Championship.

France squad for 2018 autumn internationals:

Tony Gigot (Catalans Dragons), Ilias Bergal (Leigh Centurions), Bastien Ader (Toulouse Olympique), Hakim Miloudi (Hull FC), Paul Marcon (Toulouse Olympique), Lucas Albert (Catalans Dragons), Theo Fages (St Helens), Jason Baitieri (Catalans Dragons), Alrix Da Costa (Catalans Dragons), Romain Navarrete (Wigan Warriors), Rhys Curran (Toulouse Olympique), Benjamin Jullien (Catalans Dragons), Mickael Goudemand (Catalans Dragons), Lambert Belmas (Catalans Dragons), Thibaud Margalet (Catalans Dragons), Bastien Escamilla (Carcassonne XIII), Morgan Escare (Wigan Warriors), William Barthau (Toulouse Olympique), Justin Sangare (Toulouse Olympique).