Trinh-Duc shock omission from France squad

Aug 23, 2015 - 10:51 AM Experienced fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc will miss the World Cup after he was surprisingly omitted from the France squad announced by coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Sunday.

The 28-year-old - who played an influential role for France at the 2011 World Cup when they lost 8-7 to New Zealand in the final - lost out to veteran Frederic Michalak, who played in Saturday's win over England.

Saint-Andre, who steps down after the World Cup, also cut prop Xavier Chiocci, lock Sebastien Vahaamahina, back-row forward Yoann Goujon and centre Remi Lamerat.

France open their campaign to try and secure the trophy for the first time - they have lost three times in the final - against Italy on September 19 at Twickenham.

France will also play Six Nations champions Ireland, Romania and Canada in the pool stage of the tournament that runs from September 18 to October 31.

Squad:

Forwards (17): Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Eddy Ben Arous (Racing Metro), Vincent Debaty (Clermont), Nicolas Mas (Montpellier), Rabah Slimani (Stade Franais), Guilhem Guirado (Toulon), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont), Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing Metro), Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Franais), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Pascal Pape (Stade Franais), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse), Bernard Le Roux (Racing Metro), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse)

Backs (14): Rory Kockott (Castres), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Sebastien Tillous-Borde (Toulon), Frdric Michalak (Toulon), Rmi Tales (Racing Metro), Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Alexandre Dumoulin (Racing Metro), Gal Fickou (Toulouse), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Brice Dulin (Racing Metro), Sofiane Guitoune (Bordeaux-Begles), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont), Scott Spedding (Clermont)

Source: AAP