Top France stars could still face the All Blacks as French president reveals ‘exceptions’ are being ‘discussed’
France could still send a full-strength team to New Zealand.
A full-strength France team could still board the plane to New Zealand in July, Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) president Florian Grill has confirmed.
In recent years, head coach Fabien Galthie has taken an understrength Les Blues squad to Australia, Japan and Argentina for the July internationals, and it is feared that the same would occur in 2025.
France face the All Blacks in three Tests in New Zealand; however, the series has been marred by the notion that Les Bleus would likely send a ‘B-team’ to Aotearoa because of the agreement between the FFR and Ligue National de Rugby (LNR).
The agreement states that players involved in the Top 14 final on June 28 are automatically ruled out of the tour in July, along with the ‘premium players‘.
France’s selection policy
While this policy is not new, the fact that France are embarking on a rare tour to New Zealand has sparked outrage with even the top players willing to forgo their extended breaks.
Toulouse star Romain Ntamack is the most high-profile player to put his name forward for selection on the tour and others have since followed.
“It’s my dream to play there so if I’m lucky enough to go, even if the club are in the final, it will obviously be a pleasure,” Ntamack said back in March.
While Galthie has raised doubts over the possibility of taking a full-strength team down to New Zealand, Grill says that it is still a possibility.
“Facing the All Blacks in New Zealand is a tremendous honour and a great source of motivation for every player,” he told The Post.
“We are therefore approaching this tour with ambition, seriousness, and respect, with the aim of fielding the best team possible under conditions that ensure our team’s performance and within the framework of the unique characteristics of our French model.”
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Player welfare
He added: “French rugby is indeed based on a unique model, built around the Top 14 – a championship of exceptional intensity – and an ambitious national team.
“This demanding model places a significant physical and mental toll on players throughout the season.
“We therefore have a major responsibility: to look after their physical and mental health and to ensure they have essential rest periods.
“In this context, the selection for the July tour is based on two clear principles.
“First, an in-depth analysis conducted by the French team staff evaluates the players’ physical integrity, fatigue level, and current performance level in order to build a squad that is both strong and mindful of the players’ balance.
“Second, the formation of the group also respects a regulatory framework, jointly defined by the FFR and the LNR, which notably states that players who participate in the Top 14 final are not eligible for selection for a summer tour.
“However, exceptions are possible and are currently being discussed with the LNR.”
Bordeaux and Toulouse made up the majority of the French team that went on to win the 2025 Six Nations, with the two clubs currently leading the Top 14 table with two regular-season matches left to play before the knockout stages.
The final of the Top 14 is set to take place on June 28, just a week before the opening Test match between the All Blacks and France in Dunedin.
