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France turn to experience for final All Blacks Test with 8 changes
By Josh Raisey
France head coach Fabien Galthie has recalled his more experienced players for their final Test against the All Blacks in Hamilton on Saturday.
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After fielding a vastly inexperienced side in the 43-17 defeat in Wellington, where over a third of the team were making their debuts, Galthie has opted to recall the established internationals he has at his disposal.
The 95-cap Gaël Fickou returns to the matchday squad after missing the second Test, and will resume his role as captain at inside centre. He will be joined by fellow 50-cap veteran Rabah Slimani, who will pack down at tighthead after also being rested for the second Test.
Even decisions by Galthie to hand first starts of the tour to the 16-cap hooker Pierre Bourgarit over the marginally less experienced Gaëtan Barlot and the nine-cap Antoine Hastoy at fly-half over Joris Segonds, who only made his debut in the first Test, suggest he is attempting to field the most seasoned international team he has from what is a green squad that he took to New Zealand.
France XV
1. Baptiste Erdocio, 25, 1 cap, Montpellier
2. Pierre Bourgarit, 27, 16 caps, La Rochelle
3. Rabah Slimani, 35, 58 caps, Leinster Rugby
4. Hugo Auradou, 21, 6 caps, Pau
5. Matthias Halagahu, 23, 1 cap, Toulon
6. Alexandre Fischer, 27, 1 cap, Bayonne
7. Joshua Brennan, 23, 1 cap, Toulouse
8. Mickaël Guillard, 24, 11 caps, Lyon
9. Nolann Le Garrec, 23, 12 caps, La Rochelle
10. Antoine Hastoy, 28, 9 caps, La Rochelle
11. Gabin Villière, 28, 19 Caps, Toulon
12. Gaël Fickou (captain), 31, 95 caps, Racing 92
13. Nicolas Depoortère, 22, 3 caps, Bordeaux-Bègles
14. Théo Attissogbé, 20, 7 caps, Pau
15. Léo Barré, 22, 8 caps, Stade Français
Replacements
16. Gaëtan Barlot, 28, 11 caps, Bordeaux-Bègles
17. Paul Mallez, 24, 2 caps, Provence Rugby
18. Demba Bamba, 27, 28 caps, Racing 92
19. Romain Taofifénua, 34, 56 caps, Racing 92
20. Killian Tixeront, 23, 2 caps, ASM Clermont
21. Pierre Bochaton, 24, 1 cap, Bordeaux-Bègles
22. Thibault Daubagna, 31, 1 cap, Pau
23. Émilien Gailleton, 22, 9 caps, Pau