Fickou starts for France against New Zealand / Photo: © AFP/File
Fickou starts for France against New Zealand
Experienced centre Gael Fickou is among four changes named by France head coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday for this weekend’s November international with New Zealand.
Fickou is joined in the starting lineup for Saturday's game in Paris by full-back Romain Buros on his debut, winger Gabin Villiere and flanker Paul Boudehent.
The 30-year-old midfielder replaces Emilien Gailleton, who is named on the bench, having being used off the bench himself in last weekend's campaign-opening win over Japan.
Buros is in for the dropped Leo Barre, Villiere comes in for Theo Attissogbe who has a knee issue and Boudehent takes the place of the injured Francois Cros.
Antoine Dupont captains Les Bleus in his second match since returning to the national 15-a-side team after his Olympic gold medal heroics in the sevens format.
France last tasted defeat to the All Blacks in 2018.
France (15-1)
Romain Buros; Gabin Villiere, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont (capt); Gregory Alldritt, Alexandre Roumat, Paul Boudehent; Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament: Tevita Tatafu, Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Georges-Henri Colombe, Romain Taofifenua, Mickael Guillard, Charles Ollivon, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton
(Y.Rousseau--LPdF)
