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Razor banking on France stars to pick ABs over Top 14 final

Author
Cameron McMillan,
Publish Date
Wed, 19 Mar 2025, 4:06pm

Razor banking on France stars to pick ABs over Top 14 final

Author
Cameron McMillan,
Publish Date
Wed, 19 Mar 2025, 4:06pm

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is expecting two of France鈥檚 biggest names to tour New Zealand despite the Six Nations champions sending a weakened squad due to a clash with their domestic final.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale today for the series between the Six Nations champions and the All Blacks with tickets to the general public available next Wednesday. But it鈥檚 likely to be a much different France lineup that beat the All Blacks for a third straight time last November.

The French Rugby Federation last year announced players who compete for teams in Top 14 finals will not be selected for July internationals in 2025 and 2026 - which includes the upcoming three-test tour in New Zealand.

The Top 14 final takes place on June 28 with the opening match of the test series on July 5 in Dunedin.

With seven games remaining in the regular season, two-time defending champions Toulouse sit five points clear on the Top 14 table with Bordeaux B猫gles in second just ahead of Toulon in third. The top six teams advance to the playoffs.

Thirteen players in the France Six Nations squad play for Toulouse while eight represent Bordeaux and seven for Toulon - meaning a chance up to 21 top French players won鈥檛 make the trip to New Zealand.

Robertson told Rugby Direct he鈥檚 expecting two of the stars to make the trip out.

鈥淧eople say what sort of team are they going to bring out? A good team,鈥 Robertson told the Rugby Direct podcast.

鈥淲e expect them to bring out [Romain] Ntamack, [Damian] Penaud and whoever is in that final. You have to have that mindset.

鈥漌e鈥檝e learnt last year you can never assume anything in test footy.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e one card, a couple of penalties away, from being in your corner. Games change really quickly. The quality and depth in the French squad from the 20s who have come through - it鈥檚 going to be a hell of test series 鈥 the last time we鈥檒l get three games in one country.

鈥淲e鈥檙e expecting the best of them,鈥 the All Blacks coach added.

Nine of France鈥檚 starting 15 from their last Six Nations test against Scotland play for either Toulouse or Bordeaux including almost the entire backline, with the exception of Racing 92鈥檚 Gael Fickou who returned from a fractured thumb.

World Rugby Player of the Year winner Antoine Dupont has already been ruled out for at least the rest of the season after rupturing the ligaments in his right knee in a Six Nations win over Ireland.

French skipper Gr茅gory Alldritt plays for La Rochelle, currently sitting ninth, and has never played in New Zealand or Australia.

France鈥檚 most capped player in the Six Nations squad is Timaru-born prop Uini Atonio (La Rochelle) with Lyon lock Romain Taofif茅nua also having played 50 caps.

Following the final Six Nations test against Scotland, Ntamack said it was his dream to play in New Zealand. His father 脡mile started on the wing when France defeated the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1994, the last side to beat New Zealand at the ground.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 really know yet what can be done or not, whether the finalists will be allowed to go to New Zealand,鈥 Ntamack told French media this week.

鈥淢aybe an exception will be made depending on the tour because it鈥檚 a pretty exceptional tour to go and play in New Zealand.

鈥淔inal or not, if we have to go, it will be with pleasure. A tour of New Zealand is still a unique moment. It鈥檚 my dream to play there. If I have the chance to go there, even if the club is in the final, it will obviously be with pleasure.鈥

FFR vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet told L鈥橢quipe exceptions may be made for players.

鈥淚n the agreement, the terms are very clear: the finalists do not go on tour. We stick to that basis. But in very specific cases, there may be a way to find exceptions.

鈥淭hey would only be made marginally and only if all four parties鈥攖he player, the club, coach Fabien Galthi茅, and the National Rugby League鈥攁gree.

鈥淏ut if, for justifiable reasons, guys like Ntamack need or want to go to New Zealand, and their club agrees despite the vacation obligation that would cause them to miss the Top 14, anything is possible.

鈥淏ut, once again, everyone really needs to be on board.鈥

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