France fields debutant against All Blacks

Today at 05:51 AM

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.

Buros 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.

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.

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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)