News24
11 Jul 2019, 23:43 GMT+10
Marcoussis - France head coach Jacques Brunel denied on Thursday the new arrivals to his staff ahead of the Rugby World Cup, Fabien Galthie and Laurent Labit, would cause trouble among the squad.
Former captain Galthie joins Les Bleus' set-up as an attack specialist before taking over from Brunel after the competition which runs from September 20-November 2.
Labit will oversee "individual technique" before becoming an assistant to Galthie after six seasons at the helm of Racing 92.
The appointments have been criticised by the likes of ex-international flanker Olivier Magne and outspoken Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal.
The pair cited the unlikeliness of Galthie accepting a secondary role below 65-year-old Brunel.
"Some people thought it would create a problem, the conflicts, but I think it's a strength," Brunel said.
"In the way the team is at the moment, in building it around the way we play, I am convinced it will help us."
The full squad has been together since Saturday as they prepare for the tournament in Japan as players from Top 14 finalists Toulouse and Clermont made up the rest of the 31-man group.
Brunel said mobile prop Demba Bamba will return from a neck injury within the next three weeks.
He expects influential back-rower Arthur Iturria to be back in full training in less than a month as he is suffering from a thigh issue and hopes winger Yoann Huget will recover from a tendon problem in the next 10 days.
France play Scotland twice and host Italy in three warm-up matches in August before the competition.
They will face Argentina, the US, Tonga and England in their pool following a poor run of five victories in 16 games since Brunel took charge in December 2017.
Get a daily dose of Canada Standard news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Canada Standard.
More InformationMADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
LONDON, U.K.: An unrelenting heatwave sweeping across Europe has pushed early summer temperatures to historic highs, triggering deadly...
President Donald Trump's plans to build a space-based Golden Dome missile defense shield have drawn immediate criticism from China,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Paramount has agreed to pay US$16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over...
LONDON, U.K.: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in Parliament this week to move ahead with changes to the country's welfare...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...
MADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
(Photo credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images) The Memphis Grizzlies are trading center Jay Huff to the Indiana Pacers for one second-round...
(Photo credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images) Brooks Lee hit a walk-off squeeze bunt to score Byron Buxton from third base and delivered...
(Photo credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images) Yohel Pozo hit a pinch three-run homer to lift the visiting St. Louis Cardinals past...
(Photo credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images) Since COVID-19 canceled the 2020 CFL season, the Edmonton Elks have tried multiple...
(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images) The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-hander Jack Little and optioned right-hander...