Three Toulon players selected for the French XV's summer tour to New Zealand

Key players, players with zero caps, three Toulon players, but not yet the Top 14 finalists. This Tuesday at 3 p.m., Fabien Galthié announced the list of 37 players selected for the French XV's tour of New Zealand. The first since 2018, during which the Blues lost all three of their tests. And for this summer tour, in addition to the injured (Antoine Dupont, Charles Ollivon, Peato Mauvaka, and Uini Atonio), we note the absence of several key players, available but left to rest after another extended season, including Jean-Baptiste Gros, Grégory Alldritt, and even Paul Boudehent.

But this trip to New Zealand will not be without premium players, since Fabien Galthié has notably retained Gaël Fickou (designated captain of the tour), Nolann Le Garrec and Romain Taofifenua. Finally, as is often the case during these summer tours, the trip will obviously not be without many "rookies", since eighteen players with zero caps have been called up by Fabien Galthié, including Paul Mallez, Cheikh Tiberghien and Léo Berdeu. The latter will try to earn their first cap during the three tests that will pit France against New Zealand, which will be played on July 5 (9:05 a.m. in Dunedin), July 12 (9:05 a.m. in Wellington) and July 19 (9:05 a.m. in Hamilton).

Domon, a round trip and then leaves

For Toulon, Fabien Galthié has chosen to retain three RCT players in his list: second row Matthias Halagahu (23 years old), third row Esteban Abadie (27 years old, 1 cap) and winger Gabin Villière (29 years old, 18 caps). Marius Domon, who joined Marcoussis at the start of the week, was not selected by Fabien Galthié, due to the return from injury of Stade Français fullback Léo Barré. It should also be noted that while this group of 37 players will fly to the country with the long white cloud this evening, five Top 14 finalists should complete it after the Top 14 final, which will be played Saturday at the Stade de France.

Jaminet, Ribbans and Fainga'anuku with the British Barbarians

Finally, beyond those called up to the French XV, several Toulon players have been retained by the British Barbarians: Melvyn Jaminet, Leicester Fainga'anuku, David Ribbans. The French international fullback, the All Black center (who will join the Crusaders next season) and the captain and second row of the RCT will participate in a match against the Springboks, on June 28 in Cape Town.