France fields debutant against All Blacks

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Experienced centre Gael Fickou is among four changes made by Fabien Galthie ahead of France’s Test against New Zealand this Saturday in Paris.

Fickou is joined in the starting XV by debutant fullback Romain Buros, wing Gabin Villiere and loose forward Paul Boudehent.

The 30-year-old centre replaces Emilien Gailleton who is named amongst the replacements, having being used off the bench in last week’s win over Japan.

Fickou has been labelled as a leader by his coach Fabien Galthie.

“He’s a leader. There are no caps given away for free as presents,” Galthie told reporters.

“After three weeks of preparation, he’s in form. It allows us to be able to name a very balanced pair of centres,” he added.

Buros, who’s been a consistent performer for Bordeaux-Begles in the Top 14, is in for Leo Barre who drops out of the matchday squad, Villiere comes in for Theo Attissogbe who’s nursing a knee issue and Boudehent takes the spot of the injured Francois Cros.

“He has confidence and certitude in his game, that he shows with his club and has done sone with us for three weeks of training,” Galthie said about Buros.

“We felt it was the right moment to change,” he added.

Thomas Ramos, who usually plays fullback, keeps the No.10 jumper with Ntamack again unavailable through injury and Jalibert not considered as a travelling reserve for the game at the Stade de France.

“We’ve taken the time to talk with Matthieu [Jalibert],” Galthie said.

“He’s always given the French national team his talent and has always tried his best.

“The competition [for places] in this team is important, our project is a collective one,” he added.

Scrumhalf Antoine Dupont will don the captain’s armband in his second match since returning to the France Test side after his Olympic gold medal heroics in the sevens format.

France haven’t lost to New Zealand since 2018.

The article continues below…

France: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Alexandre Roumat, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Tevita Tatafu, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Charles Ollivon, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton.

Date: Saturday, November 16
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21.10 (20.10 GMT; Sunday, November 17; 09.10 NZ time)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)