Ex-Junior Bok captain Jeremy Ward named in 42-man France squad

A South African who once led the Junior Springboks will train with France next month. Jeremy Ward, the Stade Français centre, is in Les Bleus' 42-man group for the November Nations Championship matches, even though he cannot play for them yet.

Ward, 30, only becomes eligible for France in 2027, once he has served the five-year residency period World Rugby requires. Until then his place in the squad is purely as a training partner.

His inclusion still has a cost. Nicolas Depoortere, the Bordeaux Bègles centre with 10 Test caps for France, has been left out to free up the spot.

Ward's South African route

Ward came through the South African system. He captained the Junior Springboks and played four times for them in 2016. At senior level he turned out for Eastern Province, the Southern Kings and the Sharks, and he moved from Durban to Stade Français in 2022.

He is one of six uncapped players in the group. The others are Théo Forner, Mathis Ferté, Tani Vili, Axel Desperes and La Rochelle prop Karl Sorin, who has his first call-up.

Alldritt back, injuries bite

The squad also marks a return for La Rochelle No 8 Grégory Alldritt. He has not played for France since he captained them against Australia last November.

Captain Antoine Dupont, wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey and loose forward François Cros are all included. Injuries, though, have cost France Matthieu Jalibert, Thomas Ramos, Julien Marchand, Emmanuel Meafou and Thibaud Flament.