2025 France rugby union tour of New Zealand

2025 France rugby union tour of New Zealand
Date5–19 July 2025
Coach(es)Fabien Galthié
Tour captain(s)Gaël Fickou
Top test point scorer(s)Nolann Le Garrec (30)
Top test try scorer(s)Six players (1 try each)
Summary
P W D L
Total
3 0 0 3
Test match
3 0 0 3
Opponent
P W D L
 New Zealand
3 0 0 3
Tour chronology
Previous tourSouth America 2024

In July 2025, the France national rugby team toured New Zealand as part of the Summer International calendar. It was known as the 2025 Lipovitan-D July Series in New Zealand for sponsorship reasons, the three-test tour was publicly known as early as July 2024, with French media reporting that the French squad could possibly be without its key, top-performing players as the tour would also conflict with the current domestic competition in France. The domestic competition final took place just a week before the first tour match in Dunedin. It was also reported that the tour would allow for a new generation of French players to pick up more international caps and experience in preparation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Australia.

Both national unions were in talks of moving one of the three test matches to be hosted in the United States, however the French Rugby Federation reportedly rejected the idea.[1][2] It was France's eleventh tour of New Zealand and the eighteenth test-series between the two teams. It was Fabien Galthié's first tour of New Zealand as the head coach of France. The venue for the third test was held at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on New Zealand's North Island. It was the first international test France has played at the venue.[3]

Fixtures

Date Venue Home Score Away
21 June 2025 Twickenham Stadium, London England XV  24–26  France XV
5 July 2025 Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin New Zealand  31–27  France
12 July 2025 Sky Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  43–17  France
19 July 2025 Waikato Stadium, Hamilton New Zealand  29–19  France

Matches

England XV vs France XV

21 June 2025
15:15 BST (UTC+1)
England XV 24–26 France XV
Try: Willis 23' c
Coles 27' m
Carpenter 39' c
Dombrandt 59' m
Con: Ford (2/4) 23', 40'
ReportTry: Barlot 6' m
Auradou 9' c
Malez 74' c
Taofifénua 80+1' c
Con: Le Garrec (1/2) 10'
Hastoy (2/2) 75', 80+2'
Twickenham Stadium, London[4]
Attendance: 34,129
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
FB 15 Joe Carpenter downward-facing red arrow 60'
RW 14 Tom Roebuck
OC 13 Henry Slade
IC 12 Seb Atkinson
LW 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Red card 33'
FH 10 George Ford (cc)
SH 9 Ben Spencer
N8 8 Tom Willis downward-facing red arrow 55'
OF 7 Guy Pepper downward-facing red arrow 60'
BF 6 Ted Hill
RL 5 Nick Isiekwe downward-facing red arrow 69'
LL 4 Alex Coles
TP 3 Joe Heyes downward-facing red arrow 60'
HK 2 Jamie George (cc) downward-facing red arrow 67'
LP 1 Fin Baxter downward-facing red arrow 54'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Theo Dan upward-facing green arrow 67'
PR 17 Bevan Rodd upward-facing green arrow 54'
PR 18 Trevor Davison upward-facing green arrow 60'
LK 19 Chandler Cunningham-South upward-facing green arrow 69'
FL 20 Jack Kenningham upward-facing green arrow 60'
N8 21 Alex Dombrandt upward-facing green arrow 55'
SH 22 Raffi Quirke upward-facing green arrow 60'
CE 23 Oscar Beard upward-facing green arrow 53'
Coach:
England Steve Borthwick
FB 15 Théo Attissogbe downward-facing red arrow 40'
RW 14 Maël Moustin downward-facing red arrow 46'
OC 13 Émilien Gailleton
IC 12 Gaël Fickou (c)
LW 11 Alivereti Duguivalu
FH 10 Antoine Hastoy
SH 9 Nolann Le Garrec downward-facing red arrow 60'
N8 8 Mickaël Guillard
OF 7 Killian Tixeront
BF 6 Alexandre Fischer
RL 5 Tyler Duguid downward-facing red arrow 46' upward-facing green arrow 77'
LL 4 Hugo Auradou downward-facing red arrow 46'
TP 3 Rabah Slimani downward-facing red arrow 46'
HK 2 Gaëtan Barlot downward-facing red arrow 60'
LP 1 Baptiste Erdocio downward-facing red arrow 46'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Guillaume Marchand upward-facing green arrow 60'
PR 17 Paul Malez upward-facing green arrow 46'
PR 18 Demba Bamba upward-facing green arrow 46'
LK 19 Romain Taofifénua upward-facing green arrow 46'
FL 20 Cameron Woki Red card 55' upward-facing green arrow 46'
FL 21 Jacobus van Tonder upward-facing green arrow 46'
SH 22 Baptiste Jauneau upward-facing green arrow 60'
FH 23 Léo Berdeu upward-facing green arrow 40'
Coach:
France Fabien Galthié

Player of the Match:
Nolann Le Garrec (France XV)

Assistant referees:
Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Television match official:
Mike Adamson (Scotland)

New Zealand vs France (first test)

5 July 2025
19:05 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand 31–27 France
Try: Jordan (2) 20' c, 47' c
Vaa'i 26' c
J. Barrett 40' c
Con: B. Barrett (4/4) 21', 27', 40', 48'
Pen: B. Barrett (1/1) 74'
ReportTry: Guillard 17' c
Villière 43' c
Woki 50' c
Con: Le Garrec (3/3) 18', 44', 50'
Pen: Segonds (1/1) 7'
Le Garrec (1/1) 33'
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin[3]
Attendance: 28,532
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
FB 15 Will Jordan
RW 14 Sevu Reece downward-facing red arrow 1'
OC 13 Billy Proctor downward-facing red arrow 66'
IC 12 Jordie Barrett
LW 11 Rieko Ioane
FH 10 Beauden Barrett
SH 9 Cam Roigard downward-facing red arrow 60'
N8 8 Christian Lio-Willie downward-facing red arrow 51'
OF 7 Ardie Savea
BF 6 Tupou Vaa'i
RL 5 Fabian Holland
LL 4 Scott Barrett (c) downward-facing red arrow 58'
TP 3 Fletcher Newell downward-facing red arrow 56'
HK 2 Codie Taylor downward-facing red arrow 58'
LP 1 Ethan de Groot downward-facing red arrow 56'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho upward-facing green arrow 58'
PR 17 Ollie Norris upward-facing green arrow 56'
PR 18 Pasilio Tosi upward-facing green arrow 56'
FL 19 Samipeni Finau upward-facing green arrow 58'
FL 20 Du'Plessis Kirifi upward-facing green arrow 51'
SH 21 Cortez Ratima upward-facing green arrow 60'
CE 22 Quinn Tupaea upward-facing green arrow 66'
FH 23 Damian McKenzie upward-facing green arrow 1'
Coach:
New Zealand Scott Robertson
FB 15 Théo Attissogbé
RW 14 Tom Spring downward-facing red arrow 72'
OC 13 Émilien Gailleton
IC 12 Gaël Fickou (c)
LW 11 Gabin Villière Yellow card 55'
FH 10 Joris Segonds downward-facing red arrow 64'
SH 9 Nolann Le Garrec downward-facing red arrow 58'
N8 8 Mickaël Guillard
OF 7 Killian Tixeront downward-facing red arrow 48'
BF 6 Alexandre Fischer
RL 5 Tyler Duguid downward-facing red arrow 48'
LL 4 Hugo Auradou downward-facing red arrow 48'
TP 3 Rabah Slimani downward-facing red arrow 48'
HK 2 Gaëtan Barlot downward-facing red arrow 56'
LP 1 Giorgi Beria downward-facing red arrow 48'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Pierre Bourgarit upward-facing green arrow 56'
PR 17 Paul Mallez upward-facing green arrow 48'
PR 18 Régis Montagne upward-facing green arrow 48'
LK 19 Romain Taofifénua upward-facing green arrow 48'
LK 20 Cameron Woki upward-facing green arrow 48'
FL 21 Jacobus van Tonder upward-facing green arrow 48'
SH 22 Baptiste Jauneau upward-facing green arrow 58'
FH 23 Antoine Hastoy upward-facing green arrow 64'
Coach:
France Fabien Galthié

Player of the Match:
Will Jordan (New Zealand)

Assistant referees:
Christophe Ridley (England)
Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
Television match official:
Damon Murphy (Australia)
Foul play review officer:
Brett Cronan (Australia)

Notes:

New Zealand vs France (second test)

12 July 2025
19:05 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand 43–17 France
Try: Roigard 14' c
Savea 23' c
Taylor 29' m
Vaa'i 36' c
Jordan 54' c
Ioane 62' c
Con: B. Barrett (4/5) 15', 37', 55', 63'
J. Barrett (1/1) 24'
Pen: B. Barrett (1/1) 8'
ReportTry: Barré 47' c
Brennan 77' c
Con: Le Garrec (1/1) 48'
Hastoy (1/1) 78'
Pen: Le Garrec (1/1) 20'
Sky Stadium, Wellington[3]
Attendance: 33,827
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
FB 15 Will Jordan
RW 14 Emoni Narawa
OC 13 Billy Proctor
IC 12 Jordie Barrett downward-facing red arrow 27' upward-facing green arrow 40' downward-facing red arrow 65'
LW 11 Rieko Ioane
FH 10 Beauden Barrett Yellow card 19' downward-facing red arrow 63'
SH 9 Cam Roigard downward-facing red arrow 63'
N8 8 Christian Lio-Willie downward-facing red arrow 55'
OF 7 Ardie Savea (c)
BF 6 Tupou Vaa'i
RL 5 Fabian Holland
LL 4 Patrick Tuipulotu downward-facing red arrow 61'
TP 3 Fletcher Newell downward-facing red arrow 48'
HK 2 Codie Taylor downward-facing red arrow 55'
LP 1 Ethan de Groot downward-facing red arrow 48'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho upward-facing green arrow 55'
PR 17 Ollie Norris upward-facing green arrow 48'
PR 18 Pasilio Tosi upward-facing green arrow 48'
FL 19 Samipeni Finau upward-facing green arrow 61'
FL 20 Du'Plessis Kirifi upward-facing green arrow 55'
SH 21 Cortez Ratima upward-facing green arrow 63'
CE 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai upward-facing green arrow 27' downward-facing red arrow 40' upward-facing green arrow 65'
FH 23 Damian McKenzie upward-facing green arrow 63'
Coach:
New Zealand Scott Robertson
FB 15 Léo Barré
RW 14 Théo Attissogbé
OC 13 Nicolas Depoortère
IC 12 Pierre-Louis Barassi
LW 11 Émilien Gailleton
FH 10 Joris Segonds downward-facing red arrow 44'
SH 9 Nolann Le Garrec downward-facing red arrow 72'
N8 8 Esteban Abadie downward-facing red arrow 44'
OF 7 Jacobus van Tonder downward-facing red arrow 44'
BF 6 Pierre Bochaton
RL 5 Matthias Halagahu downward-facing red arrow 44'
LL 4 Joshua Brennan Yellow card 28'
TP 3 Georges-Henri Colombe downward-facing red arrow 40'
HK 2 Gaëtan Barlot (c) downward-facing red arrow 53'
LP 1 Baptiste Erdocio downward-facing red arrow 44'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Pierre Bourgarit upward-facing green arrow 53'
PR 17 Paul Mallez upward-facing green arrow 44'
PR 18 Régis Montagne upward-facing green arrow 40'
LK 19 Romain Taofifénua upward-facing green arrow 44'
LK 20 Cameron Woki upward-facing green arrow 44'
FL 21 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer upward-facing green arrow 44'
SH 22 Thibault Daubagna upward-facing green arrow 72'
FH 23 Antoine Hastoy upward-facing green arrow 44'
Coach:
France Fabien Galthié

Player of the Match:
Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

Assistant referees:
Nic Berry (Australia)
Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
Television match official:
Brett Cronan (Australia)
Foul play review officer:
Damon Murphy (Australia)

Notes:

New Zealand vs France (third test)

19 July 2025
19:05 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand 29–19 France
Try: Jordan 22' c
Lienert-Brown 40+3' c
Kirifi 59' m
McAlister 76' c
Con: McKenzie (3/4) 22', 40+4', 77'
Pen: McKenzie (1/1) 31'
ReportTry: Le Garrec 8' c
Con: Le Garrec (1/1) 9'
Pen: Le Garrec (3/3) 20', 34', 37'
Drop: Hastoy (1/1) 24'
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton[3]
Attendance: 24,162
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
FB 15 Ruben Love
RW 14 Will Jordan
OC 13 Anton Lienert-Brown downward-facing red arrow 70'
IC 12 Quinn Tupaea downward-facing red arrow 55'
LW 11 Sevu Reece
FH 10 Damian McKenzie
SH 9 Cortez Ratima downward-facing red arrow 66'
N8 8 Ardie Savea (c)
OF 7 Du'Plessis Kirifi
BF 6 Samipeni Finau downward-facing red arrow 66'
RL 5 Fabian Holland
LL 4 Patrick Tuipulotu
TP 3 Tyrel Lomax downward-facing red arrow 50'
HK 2 Samisoni Taukei'aho downward-facing red arrow 50'
LP 1 Ethan de Groot downward-facing red arrow 45'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Brodie McAlister upward-facing green arrow 50'
PR 17 George Bower upward-facing green arrow 45'
PR 18 Fletcher Newell upward-facing green arrow 50'
FL 19 Dalton Papali'i upward-facing green arrow 66'
N8 20 Christian Lio-Willie
SH 21 Noah Hotham upward-facing green arrow 66'
CE 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai upward-facing green arrow 70'
CE 23 Jordie Barrett upward-facing green arrow 55'
Coach:
New Zealand Scott Robertson
FB 15 Léo Barré downward-facing red arrow 60'
RW 14 Théo Attissogbé
OC 13 Nicolas Depoortère
IC 12 Gaël Fickou (c)
LW 11 Gabin Villière
FH 10 Antoine Hastoy
SH 9 Nolann Le Garrec downward-facing red arrow 72'
N8 8 Mickaël Guillard
OF 7 Joshua Brennan
BF 6 Alexandre Fischer downward-facing red arrow 40'
RL 5 Matthias Halagahu downward-facing red arrow 45'
LL 4 Hugo Auradou downward-facing red arrow 60'
TP 3 Rabah Slimani downward-facing red arrow 45'
HK 2 Pierre Bourgarit downward-facing red arrow 45'
LP 1 Baptiste Erdocio downward-facing red arrow 45'
Substitutions:
HK 16 Gaëtan Barlot upward-facing green arrow 45'
PR 17 Paul Mallez upward-facing green arrow 45'
PR 18 Demba Bamba upward-facing green arrow 45'
LK 19 Romain Taofifénua upward-facing green arrow 45'
FL 20 Killian Tixeront upward-facing green arrow 60'
FL 21 Pierre Bochaton upward-facing green arrow 40'
SH 22 Thibault Daubagna upward-facing green arrow 72'
CE 23 Émilien Gailleton upward-facing green arrow 60'
Coach:
France Fabien Galthié

Assistant referees:
Damian Schneider (Argentina)
Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
Television match official:
Brett Cronan (Australia)
Foul play review officer:
Damon Murphy (Australia)

Notes:

Squads

Note: Ages, caps and clubs are as per 5 July, the first test match of the tour.

France

On 24 June 2025, Fabien Galthié named France's 37-man squad for the .[5]

On 30 June 2025, Galthié added five Top 14 finalists who joined the France group for the New Zealand tour.[6]

Coaching team:

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Gaëtan Barlot Hooker (1997-04-13)13 April 1997 (aged 28) 9 France Castres
Pierre Bourgarit Hooker (1997-09-12)12 September 1997 (aged 27) 14 France La Rochelle
Guillaume Marchand Hooker (1998-06-05)5 June 1998 (aged 27) 0 France Lyon
Demba Bamba Prop (1998-03-17)17 March 1998 (aged 27) 28 France Racing 92
Giorgi Beria Prop (1999-11-11)11 November 1999 (aged 25) 0 France Perpignan
Georges-Henri Colombe Prop (1998-04-09)9 April 1998 (aged 27) 9 France La Rochelle
Baptiste Erdocio Prop (2000-03-13)13 March 2000 (aged 25) 0 France Montpellier
Paul Mallez Prop (2001-01-24)24 January 2001 (aged 24) 0 France Provence
Régis Montagne Prop (2000-09-30)30 September 2000 (aged 24) 0 France Clermont
Rabah Slimani Prop (1989-10-18)18 October 1989 (aged 35) 57 Ireland Leinster
Hugo Auradou Lock (2003-07-20)20 July 2003 (aged 21) 5 France Pau
Joshua Brennan Lock (2001-11-28)28 November 2001 (aged 23) 0 France Toulouse
Tyler Duguid Lock (2000-10-17)17 October 2000 (aged 24) 0 France Montpellier
Mickaël Guillard Lock (2000-12-10)10 December 2000 (aged 24) 10 France Lyon
Matthias Halagahu Lock (2001-08-15)15 August 2001 (aged 23) 0 France Toulon
Romain Taofifénua Lock (1990-09-14)14 September 1990 (aged 34) 54 France Lyon
Cameron Woki Lock (1998-11-07)7 November 1998 (aged 26) 30 France Racing 92
Esteban Abadie Back row (1997-02-01)1 February 1997 (aged 28) 1 France Toulon
Pierre Bochaton Back row (2001-04-17)17 April 2001 (aged 24) 0 France Bordeaux Bègles
Alexandre Fischer Back row (1998-01-19)19 January 1998 (aged 27) 1 France Clermont
Killian Tixeront Back row (2002-01-22)22 January 2002 (aged 23) 1 France Clermont
Jacobus van Tonder Back row (1998-03-03)3 March 1998 (aged 27) 0 France Perpignan
Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer Back row (1997-06-13)13 June 1997 (aged 28) 0 France Bordeaux Bègles
Théo William Back row (2000-07-04)4 July 2000 (aged 25) 0 France Lyon
Thibault Daubagna Scrum-half (1994-05-20)20 May 1994 (aged 31) 0 France Pau
Baptiste Jauneau Scrum-half (2003-11-17)17 November 2003 (aged 21) 1 France Clermont
Nolann Le Garrec Scrum-half (2002-05-14)14 May 2002 (aged 23) 10 France Racing 92
Léo Berdeu Fly-half (1998-06-13)13 June 1998 (aged 27) 0 France Lyon
Antoine Hastoy Fly-half (1997-06-04)4 June 1997 (aged 28) 7 France La Rochelle
Joris Segonds Fly-half (1997-04-06)6 April 1997 (aged 28) 0 France Bayonne
Pierre-Louis Barassi Centre (1998-04-22)22 April 1998 (aged 27) 7 France Toulouse
Léon Darricarrère Centre (2004-06-04)4 June 2004 (aged 21) 0 France Clermont
Nicolas Depoortère Centre (2003-01-13)13 January 2003 (aged 22) 2 France Bordeaux Bègles
Alivereti Duguivalu Centre (1997-07-21)21 July 1997 (aged 27) 0 France Perpignan
Gaël Fickou (c) Centre (1994-03-26)26 March 1994 (aged 31) 94 France Racing 92
Émilien Gailleton Centre (2003-07-13)13 July 2003 (aged 21) 7 France Pau
Théo Millet Centre (1997-07-08)8 July 1997 (aged 27) 0 France Lyon
Théo Attissogbé Wing (2004-11-19)19 November 2004 (aged 20) 5 France Pau
Gabin Villière Wing (1995-12-13)13 December 1995 (aged 29) 18 France Toulon
Léo Barré Fullback (2002-08-20)20 August 2002 (aged 22) 7 France Stade Français
Tom Spring Fullback (2002-09-26)26 September 2002 (aged 22) 0 France Bayonne
Cheikh Tiberghien Fullback (2000-01-08)8 January 2000 (aged 25) 0 France Bayonne

New Zealand

On 23 June 2025, New Zealand named a 33-player squad for the series against France.[7]

Christian Lio Willie and Emoni Narawa were added to the squad as injury cover for Luke Jacobson and Anton Lienert-Brown, respectively.[8]

On 8 July, it was confirmed Scott Barrett had been ruled out with a calf tear injury sustained during the first Test in Dunedin. Ardie Savea took over the captaincy ahead of the second Test.[9]

All squad members play rugby in New Zealand.

Coaching team:

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Franchise/province
Brodie McAlister Hooker (1997-06-17)17 June 1997 (aged 28) 0 Chiefs / Canterbury
Codie Taylor Hooker (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 34) 96 Crusaders / Canterbury
Samisoni Taukei'aho Hooker (1997-08-08)8 August 1997 (aged 27) 30 Chiefs / Waikato
Ethan de Groot Prop (1998-07-22)22 July 1998 (aged 26) 29 Highlanders / Southland
Tyrel Lomax Prop (1996-03-16)16 March 1996 (aged 29) 44 Hurricanes / Tasman
Fletcher Newell Prop (2000-02-01)1 February 2000 (aged 25) 22 Crusaders / Canterbury
Ollie Norris Prop (1999-12-11)11 December 1999 (aged 25) 0 Chiefs / Waikato
Pasilio Tosi Prop (1998-07-18)18 July 1998 (aged 26) 7 Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty
Tamaiti Williams Prop (2000-08-10)10 August 2000 (aged 24) 18 Crusaders / Canterbury
Scott Barrett (c)[a] Lock (1993-11-20)20 November 1993 (aged 31) 80 Crusaders / Taranaki
Fabian Holland Lock (2002-10-09)9 October 2002 (aged 22) 0 Highlanders / Otago
Patrick Tuipulotu Lock (1993-01-23)23 January 1993 (aged 32) 51 Blues / Auckland
Tupou Vaa'i Lock (2000-01-27)27 January 2000 (aged 25) 38 Chiefs / Taranaki
Samipeni Finau Loose forward (1999-05-10)10 May 1999 (aged 26) 8 Chiefs / Waikato
Luke Jacobson Loose forward (1997-04-20)20 April 1997 (aged 28) 24 Chiefs / Waikato
Du'Plessis Kirifi Loose forward (1997-03-03)3 March 1997 (aged 28) 0 Hurricanes / Wellington
Christian Lio-Willie Loose forward (1998-08-26)26 August 1998 (aged 26) 0 Crusaders / Otago
Ardie Savea (c)[b] Loose forward (1993-10-14)14 October 1993 (aged 31) 94 Moana Pasifika / Wellington
Wallace Sititi Loose forward (2002-09-07)7 September 2002 (aged 22) 10 Chiefs / North Harbour
Noah Hotham Half-back (2003-05-23)23 May 2003 (aged 22) 1 Crusaders / Tasman
Cortez Ratima Half-back (2001-03-22)22 March 2001 (aged 24) 11 Chiefs / Waikato
Cam Roigard Half-back (2000-11-16)16 November 2000 (aged 24) 10 Hurricanes / Counties Manukau
Beauden Barrett First five-eighth (1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 34) 134 Blues / Taranaki
Damian McKenzie First five-eighth (1995-04-20)20 April 1995 (aged 30) 62 Chiefs / Waikato
Jordie Barrett Centre (1997-02-17)17 February 1997 (aged 28) 68 Hurricanes / Taranaki
Rieko Ioane Centre (1997-03-18)18 March 1997 (aged 28) 81 Blues / Auckland
Anton Lienert-Brown Centre (1995-04-15)15 April 1995 (aged 30) 84 Chiefs / Waikato
Billy Proctor Centre (1999-05-14)14 May 1999 (aged 26) 2 Hurricanes / Wellington
Timoci Tavatavanawai Centre (1997-02-14)14 February 1997 (aged 28) 0 Highlanders / Tasman
Quinn Tupaea Centre (1999-05-10)10 May 1999 (aged 26) 14 Chiefs / Waikato
Caleb Clarke Wing (1999-03-29)29 March 1999 (aged 26) 29 Blues / Auckland
Emoni Narawa Wing (1999-07-13)13 July 1999 (aged 25) 2 Chiefs / Bay of Plenty
Sevu Reece Wing (1997-02-13)13 February 1997 (aged 28) 32 Crusaders / Southland
Will Jordan Fullback (1998-02-24)24 February 1998 (aged 27) 41 Crusaders / Tasman
Ruben Love Fullback (2001-04-28)28 April 2001 (aged 24) 1 Hurricanes / Wellington

Criticism

French squad availability

In June 2024, with news of France's next tour being publicly known, French coach Fabien Galthié told L'Équipe that he had identified a group of 20 "premium" players that he wished to rest for their tour of New Zealand.[10] In October 2024, the French Rugby Federation (Fédération Française de Rugby; FFR), the governing body of rugby union in France, and the National Rugby League (Ligue nationale de rugby; LNR), the organisation that manages the Top 14, announced the signing of an agreement on the release of French Top 14 players for international duty from 2025 until mid-2026.[11][12] In the agreement the provisions outlined stated that a foundational group of 42 players will be assembled in two phases for France's 2025 tour.[11][12] Initially, 28 eligible players will be selected following the 2024–25 Top 14 play-off qualifiers (mid-June) to begin preparations for a France Development match, which will take place over the weekend of the 2024–25 Top 14 semi-finals.[11][12] This cohort will subsequently be augmented by players from the clubs eliminated in the semi-finals, bringing the total to 42. Players from the 2024–25 Top 14 finalists, however, will be excluded from selection for these international periods.[11][12] Thus, the top-performing French players would not be available for the French team touring New Zealand.[13][14][15]

The announcement of the agreement and the subsequent affect it would have on the tour received a lot of attention and criticism in New Zealand and on social media. The Times journalist Will Kelleher wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): "Interesting this, that France are taking a second team to NZ. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) officials are livid about it, as it devalues a mega series, and their ability to market it..."[16] That same week New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced they were surprised by the decision[17] and asked the governing body of rugby union internationally, World Rugby, to clarify the French availability policy, citing World Rugby regulations.[15] Former New Zealand international and Sky Sport pundit, Justin Marshall, stated: "We don't send our B team to play you at the end of the year because our players are tired. We send over our team to knock you over in your own backyard. Now, try and actually see it from our perspective that we want to have that environment." He added: "We want to have that feeling for our fans, for our people to see France with their number one team coming over here and taking us on... We treat you with respect. And I feel that if the French were to use the excuse of a long season and their players are tired, well, you know, that's just piss poor because we're exactly the same when we have to go in November, but we front."[18]

In March 2025, French players Grégory Alldritt and Romain Ntamack expressed their desire to play for France on the tour despite the restrictive selection policy.[19] Ntamack stated: "I don't really know yet what can be done or not, whether the finalists will be allowed to go to New Zealand. Maybe an exception will be made depending on the tour, because it's a pretty exceptional tour to go and play in New Zealand... Final or not, if we have to go, it will be with pleasure."[20]

In June 2025, Jean-Marc Lhermet, Vice-President of the French Rugby Federation announced a new agreement that was made with the National Rugby League that relaxed some of the previous restrictions that were put on French players within the Top 14.[21] In the new outlined conditions, French-eligible players that play for a Top 14 finalist team during the 2024–25 season would now be available for selection. However, only players that had played less than 2,000 minutes of match-time (citing World Rugby player safety guidelines) would be eligible for selection, with a maximum selection cap of five players.[22]

In June, the five players that were selected for France from the two Top 14 finalists were Joshua Brennan, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Nicolas Depoortère, Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, and Pierre Bochaton.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Barrett sustained a calf tear injury in the first Test, ruling him out for the remainder of the series.[9]
  2. ^ Savea took over as captain from the second Test after Scott Barrett sustained an injury in the first Test.[9]

References

  1. ^ McMillan, Cameron (27 November 2024). "All Blacks v France: New Zealand Rugby in talks to move home test to USA in 2025". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Archived from the original on 3 February 2025.
  2. ^ Cully, Paul (5 December 2024). "French reject NZ Rugby's bid to move an All Blacks test to the USA next year". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Black Ferns and All Blacks 2025 Home Test Schedules Confirmed". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. 10 December 2024.
  4. ^ "England XV to face France XV at Allianz Stadium". 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  5. ^ "XV de France : Le groupe pour la Nouvelle Zélande" (in French). France Rugby. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
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  14. ^ Raulin, Maxime; Paturaud, Jean-François (6 June 2024). "Joueurs " Premium ", cogestion avec les clubs : le grand projet de Fabien Galthié pour l'élite du rugby français" [Premium players, co-management with clubs: Fabien Galthié's grand plan for the French rugby elite]. L'Équipe (in French). Éditions Philippe Amaury. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024.
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