View photos: All Blacks prepare for FranceKEY POINTS:
French rugby coach Bernard Laporte has selected 10 new caps in his squad to face the All Blacks in the opening match of their two test series in Auckland on Saturday night.
Denied the services of the majority of his World Cup squad due to a clash with the play-offs of the French domestic championships, Laporte had no choice but to blood a swag of untried players at Eden Park -- including five in his starting line-up.
Halfback Nicolas Durand, wing Benjamin Thiery and centre Arnaud Mignardi are the newcomers in the run-on backline while Gregory Le Corvec makes his debut on the blindside flank and lock Julien Pierre earns his first cap in the second row alongside captain Pascal Pape.
The reserves bench features just two internationals, the vastly experienced hooker Raphael Ibanez and utility back Ludovic Valbon.
Although drastically depleted, the French side still features an experienced core with fullback Thomas Castaignede, No 8 Sebastien Chabal, flanker Olivier Magne and prop Christian Califano seasoned former internationals.
Ibanez, who led France to the Six Nations crown in February, has 88 caps and is likely to feature off the bench after Sebastien Bruno was named to start.
France
Thomas Castaignede, Julien Laharrague, Arnaud Mignardi, Jean Phillipe Grandclaude, Benjamin Thiery, Benjamin Boyet, Nicolas Durand, Sebastien Chabal, Olivier Magne, Gregory Le Corvec, Julien Pierre, Pascal Pape (captain), Nicolas Mas, Sebastien Bruno, Christian Califano.
Replacements: Raphael Ibanez, Franck Montanella, Olivier Olibeau, Damien Chouly, Michael Forest, Nicolas Laharrague, Ludovic Valbon.
- NZPA
