Damian Penaud is back. France named a 39-man provisional squad on Sunday for the inaugural Nations Championship, and the standout call from head coach Fabien Galthié was the recall of the country's record try-scorer for a southern-hemisphere tour that takes in Tests against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
Penaud had been left out of France's successful 2026 Six Nations defence — a call Planet Rugby linked to concerns over his defensive work rate. The Bordeaux-Bègles back answered in the only currency that counts, scoring 11 tries in 29 club appearances, many of them from outside centre after Nicolas Depoortère's injury. RugbyPass reported that his international tally now stands at 40 tries, including a double last November. He returns as the 2025 Investec Player of the Year, and the move reads as a chance at redemption.
His versatility may have a knock-on effect. Planet Rugby noted that Penaud's ability to cover 13 could be a worry for Gaël Fickou, who missed out on the provisional group. And he is not the only notable absentee.
The most conspicuous omission is Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The 23-year-old has been electric — 34 tries in 31 matches across the season by RugbyPass's count — but Galthié has deliberately rested him with the autumn internationals, including a meeting with South Africa, in mind. The 42 reported that Toulouse scrum-half Antoine Dupont and full-back Thomas Ramos are also expected to be rested, while Grégory Alldritt is out injured and Cameron Woki has been left to recover.
Bordeaux-Bègles dominate the selection with 12 players, a contingent freed up after the club missed the Champions Cup play-offs. Out-half Matthieu Jalibert is among them. There are no Toulouse or Montpellier players at all for now: both clubs contest the Top 14 final on 27 June, and reinforcements could yet be added once that is settled.
There is an Australian flavour, too. Sydney-born lock Tom Staniforth, who featured in France A's 35-19 win over an England XV in a non-cap match on Friday, made the 39-man group.
The shape of the squad underlines the balancing act facing every northern-hemisphere coach in this first Nations Championship: a demanding three-Test trek south, squeezed against a brutal club season, with the 2027 World Cup the real prize. By resting Bielle-Biarrey, Dupont and Ramos while handing fringe players a tour, Galthié is betting on depth over a full-strength side — a gamble that may cost results now but should leave France better stocked when it matters.
Galthié is due to confirm his final touring party on Wednesday. France open in New Zealand on 4 July, head to Australia a week later, then close out in Japan on 18 July, before staging their three home fixtures in the new competition in November.
