France names eight uncapped players to face All Blacks
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All Blacks v France
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 5 July
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ
France coach Fabien Galthie has named eight debutants, including five starters, in a depleted squad for their opening match of a three-test tour of New Zealand in Dunedin.
Tom Spring is set to make his debut on the right wing in the clash on Saturday while Joris Segonds will earn his first cap at No 10.
Alexandre Fischer will earn his first cap in the third row, Tyler Duguid in the second row and Giorgi Beria as prop.
Props Paul Mallez and Regis Montagne, along with versatile forward Jacobus van Tonder, who can play in the second or third row, will hope to debut off the bench.
Captain Gael Fickou, who is the most-capped player in the squad (94 caps), will lead the side from the centre while veteran prop Rabah Slimani will return to international rugby for the first time since October 2019.
Pierre-Louis Barassi, Pierre Bochaton, Joshua Brennan, Nicolas Depoortere and Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, who all played in the Top 14 final last Saturday, are out of the squad and will be available for the second and third tests.
The All Blacks side was named yesterday
, with debutants lock Fabian Holland and loose forward Christian Lio-Willie named in the starting side, while prop Ollie Norris and loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi will prepare to debut off the bench.
France:
1. Giorgi Beria, 2. Gaetan Garlot, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Hugo Auradou, 5. Tyler Duguid, 6. Alexandre Fischer, 7. Killian Tixeront, 8. Mickael Guillard, 9. Nolann Le Garrec, 10. Joris Segonds, 11. Gabin Villiere, 12. Gael Fickou (capt), 13. Emilien Gailleton, 14. Tom Spring, 15. Theo Attissogbe.
Bench: 16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Paul Mallez, 18. Regis Montagne, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Cameron Woki, 21. Jacobus van Tonder, 22. Baptiste Jauneau, 23. Antoine Hastoy.
All Blacks:
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Ardie Savea, 8, Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cameron Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16.Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie
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