Experienced French squad named to tour NZ

WELLINGTON: French coach Jacques Brunel has named an experienced squad to tour New Zealand next month, with just one new cap in his 32man squad.

Halfback Morgan Parra is back in the French side for the first time since the 2015 World Cup.

The one new cap is 20yearold hooker Pierre Bourgarit.

Outside back Wesley Fofana also returns to international duty, having last played an international against New Zealand in

2016. Both players have been plagued by injuries in recent times.

Fofana suffered a neck injury and missed the Six Nations Championship in which Les Bleus finished fourth to mark the beginning of the Brunel era.

Fellow veteran Maxime Medard has earned a recall, two years on from his most recent test against Argentina, while there are also places for Teddy Thomas, Remi Lamerat, Anthony Belleau, Felix Lambey and Alexandre Lapandry.

However, wing Yoann Huget is still out injured with an Achilles injury.

France will face the All Blacks in three tests, with the first on June 9 at Eden Park before tests in Wellington and Dunedin.

In naming his squad, Brunel has one eye on next year’s World Cup.

‘‘This tour of New Zealand against the All Blacks is a wonderful challenge that we are eager to meet,’’ he said.

‘‘This is the ultimate opportunity for us to make a final review of the squad and to see new players join the France group before this preWorld Cup season begins.

‘‘During this tour, others can come back or take their chance because the upcoming season will see the group tightening during the tour of November 2018 and the 2019 tournament in anticipation of the Rugby World Cup at Japan.’’

Meanwhile, Chiefs and North Harbour loosehead prop Karl Tu’inukuafe has been called into the All Black squad as an injury replacement after Crusaders prop Tim Perry suffered a hamstring strain.

Tu’inukuafe (25), who started his firstclass career with North Harbour in 2015, was called into the Chiefs squad late last year by coach Colin Cooper, initially in a development capacity.

But injuries have meant he has made the matchday squad regularly since round five and he has impressed so far in his debut Super Rugby season.— RNZ