Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, June 22.
France name World Cup training squad
France head coach Fabien Galthie has named his 42-man World Cup training squad as the hosts's preparations for this autumn's tournament ramp up.
Several new faces have been included, with U20 duo Emilien Gailleton and Louis Bielle-Biarrey making the cut after being left out of the age group squad for this month's World Championship. They are joined by uncapped forwards Thomas Laclayat and Paul Boudehent.
Experienced pair Baptiste Serin and Brice Dulin have also been included having enjoyed fine seasons for Toulon and La Rochelle respectively, with neither man featuring for France since the 2021 Six Nations.
Notable exclusions include back row Anthony Jelonch and prop Sipili Falatea, both of whom are injured and in a race against time to make the World Cup, while Toulouse lock Emmanuel Meafou has not yet been cleared by World Rugby to represent Les Bleus.
France will kick-off their Summer Series against Scotland on August 5 before taking on Fiji and Australia, with Galthie cutting his squad down to 33 players on August 21.
The France squad in full:
Forwards: Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Reda Wardi (La Rochelle), Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Thomas Laclayat (Racing), Demba Bamba (Lyon), Bastien Chalureau (Montpellier), Thibaud Flament (Toulouse), Romain Taofifenua (Lyon), Paul Willemse (Montpellier), Cameron Woki (Racing), Florian Verhaeghe (Montpellier), Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle), François Cros (Toulouse), Sekou Macalou (Stade Français), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Yoan Tanga (La Rochelle), Dylan Cretin (Lyon)
Backs: Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Begles), Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon), Baptiste Serin (Toulon), Antoine Hastoy (La Rochelle), Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle), Gael Fickou (Racing), Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Bègles), Emilien Gailleton (Pau), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Begles), Ethan Dumortier (Lyon), Damian Penaud (Bordeaux-Begles), Gabin Villière (Toulon), Brice Dulin (La Rochelle), Melvyn Jaminet (Toulouse), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)
Governing body hit by cyber attack
The French Rugby Federation has been hit by a cyber-attack ahead of this year's World Cup, with several important documents lost as hackers threatened to release confidential information.
The attack, which took place on the night of June 7, primarily affected mail servers and was reportedly carried out by the Play Ransomware Group.
The federation took quick action to try and eliminate the threat, with the entire IT system now secured. The body is working with police as investigations into the incident continue.
In a statement, a FFR spokesperson said: "As soon as the attack was identified, on June 8 at noon, the FFR teams quickly took measures to eliminate the malware, better known as " ransomware". "
"In terms of impact, the federation was unable to recover the activity histories of some of the mailboxes which were encrypted during the attack. The FFR continues, in conjunction with the authorities, to research and analyse data that may have may have been exfiltrated as part of this attack, including emails, contacts and calendar information."
Ex-Wales international signs on at third-tier side
Former Wales prop Aaron Jarvis has signed a new deal at third-tier club Plymouth Albion after joining the club as a forwards coach earlier this year.
The ex-Ospreys and Dragons man, who won 18 caps for Wales, helped Albion to a fifth-place finish in the National League 1 last season, working alongside head coach Ryan Lamb, and has now agreed a new contract that keeps him at the club until at least 2025.
Jarvis is said to have "made a big impact in a short time" since joining for the second half of the season, with the club crediting his "experience and tremendous leadership" with proving a "huge boost" to players and staff.
The 37-year-old retired in 2021 having also represented Bath and Clermont during a 15-year-career. After hanging up his boots, he made the switch to the United States to take up a coaching position at Major League Rugby side Dallas Jackals before moving back to the UK and joining Albion
Speaking after signing the new deal, Jarvis said: “I am really pleased to have signed for another two years. Albion is a great traditional club with a great history, and I am really excited to work with the current squad as well as the new additions. I’m looking forward to a strong season.”
Head coach Lamb added: “I’m delighted Jarv has committed to the club for another two years. He’s made a big impact in a short time, but to have that continuity not just on the field but off it as well is huge for the development of our team.”
Team make touching gesture to former clubman
Gloucester-Hartpury players are to donate their match fees from the Premier 15s final to a campaign supporting Premiership star Ed Slater after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Slater retired from rugby with immediate effect after receiving the devastating diagnosis last year and was playing for Gloucester at the time, having previously represented Nottingham and Leicester Tigers as well as England Saxons.
The #4Ed campaign was established to raise money for the 34-year-old and his family, with the Kingsholm Stadium club settting up multiple fundraising events including the Slater Cup, contested between Gloucester and Leicester.
Now, the women's team have added to the fundraising efforts by donating their match fees from their upcoming clash against Exeter Chiefs in Saturday's Premier 15s final.
There is set to be a record crowd for the final too, with the match being held at Kingsholm - which has been renamed 'Queensholm' for the big occasion.
