As France prepares to face the All Blacks at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, Fabien Galthie seems poised to leverage the strength of Bordeaux-Begles players in his lineup. Despite the absence of the Top 14 finalists and some key players taking a summer break, this match offers Galthie a unique opportunity to shuffle his squad, introducing fresh talent while relying on the proven prowess of his Bordeaux-Begles core.
The influence of Bordeaux-Begles, recent back-to-back Investec Champions Cup winners, is unmistakable in the selection, particularly in the backline. Damian Penaud, making a significant return after his unexpected exclusion before the Six Nations, is set to reclaim his wing position. The centers will likely feature Nicolas Depoortere and Yoram Moefana, whose chemistry has previously propelled France to victory. The halfback pairing also suggests a strategic decision with Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lucu orchestrating the plays. “Jalibert has emerged as the premier fly-half for France, while Lucu’s form is simply irresistible,” noted a close follower of the team.
"Jalibert has emerged as the premier fly-half for France, while Lucu’s form is simply irresistible."
The composition of the back-three might include non-Bordeaux players, with Theo Attissogbe likely starting as full-back and Max Spring potentially returning on the wing. This setup allows for dynamic positional interchanges, enhancing the team's flexibility on the field.
In the forwards, the Bordeaux influence remains strong. Marko Gazzotti is expected to start at number eight, a nod to his commendable performance against England XV. Alongside him, Temo Matitu could feature at flanker as he continues to accumulate Test experience. The front row might see Sipili Falatea preferred at tighthead, supported by Jefferson Poirot and Maxime Lamothe, who have both had impressive seasons.
The bench strategy of a 6:2 split underscores Galthie's intent to maintain forward dominance, with players like Barnabé Massa, Reda Wardi, and Régis Montagne ready to make significant impacts if called upon.
The anticipated lineup for France against the All Blacks is as follows:
Starting XV: 15 Theo Attissogbe, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Max Spring, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Marko Gazzotti, 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Temo Matiu, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: 16 Barnabé Massa, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Killian Tixeront, 21 Esteban Capilla, 22 Nolann le Garrec, 23 Fabien Brau-Boirie
This lineup reflects a blend of strategic continuity and tactical innovation, positioning France to robustly challenge the All Blacks in what promises to be a captivating encounter.