France have pinned their hopes on club form after announcing five changes to their starting team for the second Test against the All Blacks.
Coach Jacques Brunel deemed the three players involved in the Top 14 club final on June 2 would be off limits for last week’s first Test in Auckland, which the tourists lost 52-11.
All three slot straight into his XV on Saturday at Westpac Stadium, including both flankers.
Victorious Castres forward Mathieu Babillot and beaten Montpellier counterpart Kelian Galletier have replaced Fabien Sanconnie and Judicael Cancoriet on the side of the scrum.
Montpellier fullback Benjamin Fall usurps veteran Maxime Medard at fullback.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks have named an unchanged side from the opening Test with coach Steve Hansen focusing on building on connections and combinations.
“As we have a big focus right now on developing our game and working on our skillsets, connections and combinations, it isn’t beneficial to be making wholesale changes, if any at all, to the playing 23,” Hansen said.
“Whilst we were really happy with the way we finished last weekend’s Test, we’re fully aware that we still have a lot of work to do over the rest of the Steinlager Series. The French would’ve taken a lot of confidence out of their first 50 minutes on the weekend and will be coming to play on Saturday night.”
France’s Remy Grosso and lock Paul Gabrillagues, the two players involved in separate contentious incidents will both make way on Saturday.
Grosso suffered a fractured skull when hit high in a double-tackle from Sam Cane and Ofa Tu’ungafasi that didn’t result in any punishment beyond a penalty, sparking heated debate.
Grosso, who has been given medical clearance to fly home on Thursday, is replaced by Gael Fickou.
Gabrillagues, who was considered unlucky to receive a yellow card for a relatively mild high tackle, is on the reserves bench. His starting spot goes to South African-born Bernard Le Roux.
Two players introduced to the bench are front-rowers Pierre Bourgarit and Cedate Gomes Sa.
Hooker Bourgarit, 20, is in line for a Test debut.
FRANCE: Benjamin Fall, Teddy Thomas, Mathieu Bastareaud (capt), Geoffrey Doumayrou, Gael Fickou, Anthony Belleau, Morgan Parra, Kevin Gourdon, Kelian Galletier, Mathieu Babillot, Yoann Maestri, Bernard Le Roux, Uini Atonio, Camille Chat, Dany Priso. Res: Pierre Bourgarit, Cyril Baille, Cedate Gomes Sa, Paul Gabrillagues, Alexandre Lapandry, Baptiste Serin, Jules Plisson, Maxime Medard.
ALL BLACKS: Jordie Barrett; Ben Smith, Anoton Leinert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Luke Whitelock, Sam cane, Liam Squire; Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock (c); Owen Franks, Codie Tay;pe, Joe Moody. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu’iinukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Damian McKenzie, Ngani Laumape.