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Eighteen new players called up and Gaël Fickou captain of the French rugby team for the summer tour to New Zealand

Eighteen new players called up and Gaël Fickou captain of the French rugby team for the summer tour to New Zealand
Gaël Fickou (center) during the France-Scotland match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis) on March 15, 2025. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP

Fabien Galthié, the French rugby team coach, announced on Tuesday, June 24, a list of thirty-seven players called up to play three test matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand on July 5, 12, and 19. Among those called up will be the captain, Gaël Fickou (94 caps). The Racing 92 center is one of the only senior players for Les Bleus who will be part of this adventure.

To beat the All Blacks at home, something that hasn't happened since 2009, Gaël Fickou, captain in the 26-24 victory over England on June 21, will be surrounded by a young and inexperienced team, with three-quarters of players having fewer than 10 caps. The French squad even has eighteen players without a single cap. Within this rejuvenated squad, prop Rabah Slimani (57 caps) and second row Romain Taofifenua (54 caps) will serve as veterans.

Some unfortunate semi-finalists of the French championship, such as Toulon winger Gabien Villière, his teammate Esteban Abadie and Bayonne player Joris Segonds have been chosen by Fabien Galthié to participate in this summer tour.

Five players, maximum, chosen after the Top 14 final

Due to the Top 14 final between Stade Toulousain and Union Bordeaux-Bègles this Saturday in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), some key players in the team's victory in the Six Nations Tournament last winter will likely not be making the trip.

Regarding the Top 14 finalists, a maximum of five players are eligible to join New Zealand, provided they have not exceeded 2,000 minutes of play over the entire season, a threshold set following discussions between the National Rugby League and the French national team staff. An announcement on this matter will be made after the final at the Stade de France.

Fabien Galthié has also chosen to rest certain players due to a return from injury or fatigue accumulated throughout the season, such as Antoine Dupont, Grégory Aldritt and Uini Atonio.

The list of 37 players called up for the tour of New Zealand:

Forwards (21): Esteban Abadie (RC Toulon, 1 selection, 27 years old) Hugo Auradou (Pau, 5 selections, 21 years old), Demba Bamba (Racing 92, 28 selections, 27 years old), Gaëtan Barlot (Castres, 9 selections, 28 years old), Giorgi Beria (USA Perpignan, 0 selections, 25 years old), Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle, 14 selections, 27 years old), Georges-Henri Colombe (La Rochelle, 9 selections, 27 years old), Tyler Duguid (Montpellier HR, 0 selections, 24 years old), Baptiste Erdocio (Montpellier HR, 0 selections, 25 years old), Alexandre Fischer (ASM Clermont, 0 selections, 27 years old), Mickaël Guillard (Lyon, 10 selections, 24 years old), Matthias Halagahu (RC Toulon, 0 salt., 23 years old), Paul Mallez (Provence Rugby, 0 salt., 24 years old), Guillaume Marchand (Lyon, 0 salt., 27 years old), Régis Montagne (ASM Clermont, 0 salt., 24 years old), Rabah Slimani (Leinster Rugby, 57 salt., 35 years old), Romain Taofifenua (Racing 92, 54 years old). sel., 34 years old), Killian Tixeront (ASM Clermont, 1 sel., 23 years old), Jacobus Van Tonder (USA Perpignan, 0 sel., 27 years old), Théo William (Lyon, 0 sel., 24 years old), Cameron Woki (Racing 92, 30 sel., 26 years old)

Backs (16): Théo Attissogbe (Pau, 5 salt., 20 years old), Léo Barré (Stade Français, 7 salt., 22 years old), Léo Berdeu (Lyon, 0 salt., 27 years old), Léon Darricarrère (ASM Clermont, 0 salt., 21 years old), Thibault Daubagna (Pau, 0 salt., 31 years old), Alivereti Duguivalu (USA Perpignan, 0 salt., 27 years old), Gaël Fickou (Racing 92, 94 salt., 31 years old), Émilien Gailleton (Pau, 7 salt., 21 years old), Antoine Hastoy (La Rochelle, 7 salt., 28 years old), Baptiste Jauneau (ASM Clermont, 1 salt., 21 years old), Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92, 10 salt., 23 years), Théo Millet (Lyon, 0 sel., 27 years old), Joris Segonds (Aviron Bayonnais, 0 sel., 28 years old), Tom Spring (Aviron Bayonnais, 0 sel., 22 years old), Cheikh Tiberghien (Aviron Bayonnais, 0 sel., 25 years old), Gabin Villière (RC Toulon, 18 sel., 28 years old)

Sports Service (with AFP)

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