France coach Fabien Galthie has overhauled his squad for Saturday鈥檚 second test against the All Blacks in Wellington.
Coming off a 31-27 defeat in the first test in Dunedin, Galthie has made 10 changes to his starting side, including resting captain Gael Fickou, their most experienced player, with hooker Gaetan Barlot to lead the side.
Barlot is the only forward to keep his place in the starting side alongside halfback Nolann Le Garrec and first five Joris Segonds, while 脡milien Gailleton and Th茅o Attissogbe shift to the wings from centre and fullback respectively.
There are four debutants in the forward pack with prop Baptiste Erdocio, locks Joshua Brennan and Matthias Halagahu and loose forward Pierre Bochaton. Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer and Thibault Daubagna are set to make their debuts off the bench.
Brennan, Bochaton and Vergnes-Taillefer are among the five players who missed the first test because of their commitments in the French Top 14 final and they have been joined by Pierre-Louis Barassi and Nicolas Depoortere in the midfield.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks kept the changes to a minimum, making just three changes.
Patrick Tuipulotu has been named at lock to replace Scott Barrett, who will miss the remainder of the series with a calf injury. Caleb Clarke will make his first start of the season on the left wing, and Rieko Ioane shifts to the right in place of Sevu Reece.
Timoci Tavatavanawai will have the opportunity to make his test debut off the bench, with Ardie Savea captaining the side.
France: 1. Baptiste Erdocio, 2. Gaetan Barlot (c), 3. Georges-Henri Colombe, 4. Joshua Brennan, 5. Matthias Halagahu, 6. Pierre Bochaton, 7. Jacobus Van Tonder, 8. Esteban Abadie, 9. Nolann Le Garrec, 10. Joris Segonds, 11. Emilien Gailleton, 12. Pierre-Louis Barassi, 13. Nicolas Depoortere, 14. Theo Attissogbe, 15. Leo Barr茅.
Reserves: 16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Paul Mallez, 18. Regis Montagne, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Cameron Woki, 21. Bastien Vergnes Taillefer, 22. Thilbault Daubagna, 23. Antoine Hastoy.
is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
For live commentary of this weekend鈥檚 All Blacks v France test, go to GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio.
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