France Rugby: Top 14 Finalists Join New Zealand Tour Squad

Reinforcement for the Blues. As expected, and as planned by the agreements between the clubs and the FFR, five finalists of the last Top 14 will join the XV of France on tour in New Zealand.

These players, who played the final on Saturday June 28 at the Stade de France (Toulouse victory 39-33 after extra time), will therefore join the Blues by Fabien Galkié, who challenge the All Blacks at home during three Test-Matchs (July 5, 12 and 19).

On the side of the Toulouse French Champions, the Pierre-Louis Barassi Center (27, 7 selections) and the second line Joshua Brennan (23, no selection), both holders in the final, are on the trip.

Among the unhappy finalists of the UBB, the Center Nicolas Depoortère (22 years old, 2 selections) and two third lines without selection, Pierre Bochaton (24 years old) and Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer (28), were called.

The participation of finalists of Top 14 in a summer tour of the XV of France had not arrived for several years, the objective being to allow the players who had a long season of being able to rest.

But for this trip to New Zealand, several players from the Blues had expressed the desire to participate and the Federation and the National Rugby League have reached an agreement.

Arrival scheduled for Wednesday in New Zealand

Finally, except for Barassi, returned to force among the Blues during the last tournament of the Six Nations, no other executive in the XV of France is there. Many are injured (Dupont, Mauvaka, Ntamack, Atonio). The others (Alldritt, merchant, jelonch) were still left to rest.

The five players called after the final are expected on Wednesday in New Zealand to complete the group – which will then go to 42 players – but must not participate in the first of the three Test -Matchs against the All Blacks, scheduled for Saturday in Dunedin.

The back of the Stade Français Léo Barré, which remained in France to treat a crutch, must arrive on the same plane as them.

The other two meetings against the All Blacks are scheduled on July 12 in Wellington and then on the 19th in Hamilton.

Key Player Inclusions & Timeline

To further illuminate the composition of the French squad heading to New Zealand, let’s break down the key players and their integration into the team. This will offer a clearer picture of the team’s strategy and the impact of recent top 14 final results.

| Player | Position | Club | Age | Selections | Notes |

|———————-|—————-|——————|—–|————|———————————————————————————–|

| Pierre-Louis Barassi | Center | Toulouse | 27 | 7 | Returned to the squad, key presence. |

| joshua Brennan | Second Row | Toulouse | 23 | 0 | Impressive performance in the final. |

| Nicolas Depoortère | Centre | UBB | 22 | 2 | Young talent looking to make an impact. |

| Pierre Bochaton | Third Row | UBB | 24 | 0 | Seeking to earn his first cap.|

| Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer | Third Row | UBB | 28 | 0 | Experienced player, debut opportunity. |

| Léo Barré | Back | Stade Français | | | Treating an injury, to arrive with the team. |

Note: This table provides a snapshot of the players and their journey to New Zealand. As injuries and other factors emerge, the team composition may evolve.


FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about the French Rugby Team’s Tour of New Zealand

To address common queries and provide even more in-depth information, here’s a complete FAQ section, optimized for both reader engagement and search engine visibility.

Q: When are the Test Matches between france and the All Blacks?

A: The three test matches are scheduled for:

July 5: Dunedin, New Zealand

July 12: Wellington, New Zealand

* July 19: Hamilton, New Zealand

Q: Why are some key players missing from the French squad?

A: Several key players are unavailable due to injury or are being given rest after a long and demanding season. Notable absentees include Dupont, Mauvaka, Ntamack, Atonio, Alldritt, and Jelonch.

Q: How many players are in the French squad for this tour?

A: The squad is expected to total 42 players once the five players from the top 14 final arrive in New Zealand.

Q: When will the Top 14 finalists join the squad?

A: The five players from the Top 14 final are scheduled to arrive in New Zealand on Wednesday, before the first test match. They are, though, expected to be ready for the second and third matches.

Q: What is the importance of the Top 14 finalists joining the squad?

A: this is a unique situation as player participation in a summer tour is uncommon due to player rest. This highlights the agreement between the Federation and the National Rugby League. This demonstrates the team’s strategy and the willingness of players ready to perform.

Q: Who is the coach of the French national rugby team?

A: The coach of the French national rugby team is Fabien galthié.

Q: How can I watch the matches between France and the All Blacks?

A: Details on broadcast information will be available.


This enhanced content not onyl provides valuable information but also is structured in a clear, digestible manner. The inclusion of a table, along with the FAQ section, will help to optimize this article for search engines while providing the audience with a more comprehensive and engaging experience.

Aiko Tanaka

Aiko Tanaka is a combat sports journalist and general sports reporter at Archysport. A former competitive judoka who represented Japan at the Asian Games, Aiko brings firsthand athletic experience to her coverage of judo, martial arts, and Olympic sports. Beyond combat sports, Aiko covers breaking sports news, major international events, and the stories that cut across disciplines — from doping scandals to governance issues to the business side of global sport. She is passionate about elevating the profile of underrepresented sports and athletes.

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