France team v All Blacks: Bordeaux flyer handed debut as Fabien Galthie makes four changes
Debutant Romain Buros is one of four changes to the French starting XV this weekend
Bordeaux ace Romain Buros will make his long-awaited France debut at fullback in this weekend’s highly-anticipated clash with New Zealand.
He comes straight into the backline for Leo Barre and is one of four changes to the starting XV from last week’s 52-12 dismantling of Japan.
Fabien Galthie’s other changes
Toulon’s Gabin Villiere is another new face alongside Buros in the back three, and they join impressive youngster Louis Bielle-Biarrey who retains his spot in the squad.
Stalwart Gael Fickou returns to the squad at 13 and will reignite his partnership with Yoram Moefana in midfield. This will be the Racing 92 man’s 92nd cap for France and puts him joint fourth in the all-time list for Les Bleus.
Thomas Ramos also retains his spot at fly-half this weekend, and he once again partners up with iconic scrum-half – and captain – Antoine Dupont, as Galthie puts his faith back in the Toulouse axis.
Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka and Tevita Tatafu once again form a formidable front-row. Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou also retain their spots in the second-row after solid showings last time out.
Paul Boudehent is the final change to the squad, as he comes in for Francois Cros at six – which was revealed by Planet Rugby earlier this week – and he joins Alexandre Roumat and Gregory Alldritt in a solid back-row.
Galthie has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench for the All Blacks clash, with Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Georges-Henri Colombe, Romain Taofifenua, Mickael Guillard and Charles Ollivon all named as forward options, with Nolann le Garrec and Emilen Gailleton the back replacements.
There is no room for Bordeaux duo Maxime Lucu or Matthieu Jalibert in the 23-man squad at all this weekend.
France squad to face All Blacks
France: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Aldritt, 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 Emilen Gailleton
Date: Saturday, November 16
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21:10 local (20:10 GMT, 09:10 NZDT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
