Ahead of France\u2019s clash against the All Blacks at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch next weekend, here is how we think Fabien Galthie\u2019s side will line up.<\/p>\n
Les Bleus come into this Test in an interesting spot, with their Top 14 finalists heading straight to Australia and therefore unavailable, as well as a number of key personnel rested entirely this summer, but that does also give the boss a chance to mix things up.<\/p>\n
But, even with a few fresh faces likely to be blooded in, there should be a heavy Bordeaux-Begles influence within the 23-man squad to take on the All Blacks, with the back-to-back Investec Champions Cup winners forming the core of Galthie\u2019s extended group.<\/p>\n
Backs<\/p>\n
That is quickly made clear within the backline, with several Bordeaux\u2019s heavy-hitters expected to start in this unit. Damian Penaud was arguably the headline call within Galthie\u2019s final touring squad, considering his dramatic axing ahead of the Six Nations, and he could be set for a return to his natural position of wing for the All Blacks Test after a spell at 13 for UBB.<\/p>\n
Damian McKenzie\u2019s verdict on Ruben Love as judgement day beckons over All Blacks 10 battle<\/a><\/p>\n You can also see the tried-and-trusted pairing of Nicolas Depoortere and Yoram Moefana starting in the centres, something that has worked wonders for France in the past as well as the European champions.<\/p>\n This also feels like the right time to go all in on the combination of Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lucu in the halves as well. While Jalibert has seemingly emerged as France\u2019s number one number 10, Lucu is still unable to fully leapfrog over Antoine Dupont at Test level, with the Toulouse man preferred in the Six Nations, but the Bordeaux ace is probably in career-best form and, dare we say, among the form scrum-halves in the world right now too. Nolann le Garrec did have a decent run-out for France XV against England XV, it must be said, but Lucu is by far the front-runner for the starting shirt.<\/p>\n Elsewhere in the starting backline, the non-Bordeaux players will likely come in the back-three.<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n Theo Attissogbe feels the probable starter at full-back for this Test, with the Pau ace impressing yet again against England XV, but that also leaves the door ajar for Max Spring to make his return to the Test side on the wing. This pairing is actually really interesting to deploy together, given they can both chop and change between wing and full-back, which could be a really nice dynamic to add in while also allowing Penaud to then hold his width.<\/p>\n With Galthie<\/a> likely to again go 6:2 on his bench, that does open the door for Le Garrec to feature on the bench, with Fabien Brau-Boirie also in line to wear 23.<\/p>\n Forwards<\/p>\n There will also likely be a tint of vin rouge de Bordeaux in the pack as well, as the core continues to dominate selection. Marko Gazotti enjoyed a really, really good day against England XV at number eight, and this seems like a good time to give him a go in the run-on group and see how he goes, with him likely to be a big part of the France<\/a> squad for years to come. Clubmate Temo Matitu could also get the nod at number six for this one, as he continues to build Test experience.<\/p>\n Maxime Lamoth and Jefferson Poirot should also start following their impressive seasons.<\/p>\n