Former England star Anthony Watson has slated the “criminal” decision to leave Damian Penaud out of the French squad for the 2026 Six Nations.
Les Blues’ wider squad was announced recently, with the all-time top try scorer excluded in favour of younger, less experienced talents.
Penaud, who has scored 40 tries for his country, averaging 0.68 tries per match, has appeared to be punished for his recent defensive issues and struggles under the high ball. With the emergence of opposite wide man Louis Bielle-Biarrey, there appears to be less need for another out-and-out try scorer in the squad.
Watson, appearing on the For The Love Of Rugby Podcast, has argued that the rewards greatly outweigh the risks, however.
“Completely criminal,” said the 31-year-old. “Honestly, I think it’s just outrageous. He’s France’s top Six Nations try scorer, and to leave him out makes absolutely no sense.
“Yes, they’ve got some good other wingers, but in my opinion, none to the level of Damian Penaud, none as proven as him.
“I’m not making out like the kick chase isn’t a serious part of the game, but when it’s something as minor as that, with everything else he brings to the game, I just think it’s very harsh.”
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“If his nose is out of joint – so what?”
Watson’s former Leicester Tigers teammate, Dan Cole, had other ideas, however: “He’s fannying around in Europe, isn’t he. Like, there are certain times when he could have scored tries, and he’s like, flicking it inside.
“Part of me loves that, because that’s just so out there as a character. But if you’re a French team and you’re building, and you’ve got someone going rogue who’s just trying to get assists rather than scoring.
“Do you not think there’s a potential there to actually go to Théo Attissogbe has been brilliant. When he came in, he scored twice. It’s like, we’ve got a guy who’s gonna push.
“We can bring Penaud back in at some point, whenever it’s gonna be good to go, and if his nose is out of joint – so what?”
France have indeed selected Attissogbe on the wing, with the hugely talented Kalvin Gourgues acting as back-up across the backfield, as France opt for a 6-2 split on the bench.