The French men’s rugby sevens team, which plays the final leg of its world circuit this weekend in Los Angeles, intends to use this public rehearsal to refine its ranks two weeks ahead of the World Cup in South Africa. Currently ranked seventh in the “World Rugby Sevens Series”, the Blue Sevens and their women’s counterparts have already qualified for the World Cup in Cape Town from September 9 to 11.

Tricolor coaching Clermontois and experienced former captain Jean-Pascal Barak have been recalled in California and Toulouse’s Nelson Eppie, the circuit’s top try scorer (33), has been retained. Gerzois’ teammates, Pauline Riva, have been drawn into Pool C, with Ireland first and then Fiji against Wales on Saturday.

A crucial match against Ireland

If this last game is a formality, the Blues have won four of their last meetings against the Welsh, and it will be different for the first two. Indeed, against the Fijian Olympic champions, the task may prove particularly difficult: the Blues have won just one of their 42 group matches against players from the Pacific.

Therefore, it is against Ireland, who France (7-24) lost in the semi-finals at the Toulouse stage in May, their only defeat in six matches, that will qualify for the quarter-finals.

French Program:

Saturday
7:48 pm: Ireland v France
11:31 pm: Fiji v France

Sunday
02:37: France – Wales
From 7:13: Quarter Finals