France named an inexperienced side on Wednesday for the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday, with five players in the starting line-up set to make their debuts.
Coach Bernard Laporte was denied the services of players from Toulouse, Biarritz, Clermont Auvergne and Stade Francais because of the conclusion of the French championship, and there will also be five uncapped players on the Eden Park bench.
Scrumhalf Nicolas Durand, winger Benjamin Thiery and centre Arnaud Mignardi are the new faces in the backs, with Gregory Le Corvec starting at blindside flanker and Julien Pierre alongside skipper Pascal Pape in the second row.
Fullback Thomas Castaignede, flanker Olivier Magne and prop Christian Califano provide much-needed experience with only hooker Raphael Ibanez and Ludovic Valbon of the replacements having played internationals before.
The clash of schedules and injuries to key players meant Laporte selected 14 uncapped players in his 26-man squad. All Blacks coach Graham Henry named his team on Tuesday. – Reuters
Team: Thomas Castaignede, Julien Laharrague, Arnaud Mignardi, Jean Phillipe Grandclaude, Benjamin Thiery; Benjamin Boyet, Nicolas Durand; Sebastien Chabal, Olivier Magne, Gregory Le Corvec, Julien Pierre, Pascal Pape (captain), Nicolas Mas, Sebastien Bruno, Christian Califano.
Replacements: Raphael Ibanez, Franck Montanella, Olivier Olibeau, Damien Chouly, Michael Forest, Nicolas Laharrague, Ludovic Valbon.