France make 10 changes to starting side for second All Blacks Test / Photo: © AFP
France make 10 changes to starting side for second All Blacks Test
France coach Fabien Galthie announced a major reshuffle Thursday for the second Test against New Zealand, with 10 changes to his starting side after the 31-27 defeat in Dunedin.
Ten-cap hooker Gaetan Barlot was retained in the side and was named captain, with experienced centre Gael Fickou left out of the matchday 23.
Four of the five who played in the Top 14 final on June 29 are starting along with Leo Barre, who arrived late in New Zealand due to a thigh injury.
Barlot, 28, will lead an inexperienced team with an average of only four caps each among the starters.
The most experienced French players such as prop Rabah Slimani (58 caps) and wing Gabin Villiere (19) were left out of the 23 altogether, while Cameron Woki (31) and Romain Taofifenua (55) will again start on the bench.
"It's a rotation for stimulation, competition," Galthie told reporters.
"We brought the players to the end of the world. They have to play. We absolutely wanted to play them as quickly as possible."
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson made just three changes to his starting side, two of which were injury enforced.
Captain Scott Barrett was ruled out with a torn calf, and wing Sevu Reece was concussed.
Patrick Tuipulotu and Caleb Clarke, respectively, replace them with Rieko Ioane switching to the right wing, while wing Timoci Tavatavanawai will debut off the bench.
France (15-1):
Leo Barre; Theo Attissogbe, Nicolas Depoortere, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Emilien Gailleton; Joris Segonds, Nolann Le Garrec; Esteban Abadie, Jacobus Van Tonder, Pierre Bochaton; Matthias Halagahu, Joshua Brennan; Georges-Henri Colombe, Gaetan Barlot, Baptiste Erdocio.
Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Paul Mallez, Regis Montagne, Romain Taofifenua, Cameron Woki, Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, Thibault Daubagna, Antoine Hastoy.
S.Cooper--TNT
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