French Baabaas to play in Invercargill

Invercargill will host a highcalibre rugby match when the Highlanders face a French Barbarians XV on June 22.

The fixture will be played on a Friday, the night before France meet the All Blacks in the third and final test in Dunedin.

The Barbarians will also play the Crusaders in Christchurch on June 15, on the eve of the All Blacks’ test against France in Wellington. The first test will be played a week earlier in Auckland.

The composition of the Highlanders and Crusaders teams will be determined by how many of their players are selected by the All Blacks when Super Rugby goes into hiatus during the June test window.

The Highlanders are likely to be without Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Waisake Naholo and Liam Squire. Luke Whitelock, Liam Coltman and Dillon Hunt could also be asked to join the national squad.

The Crusaders are also expected to make a hefty contribution to the All Blacks, meaning they will field an under-strength team against the Barbarians. Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Israel Dagg, Mitchell Drummond, Owen Franks, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Joe Moody, Richie Mo’unga, Tim Perry, Luke Romano, Codie Taylor and Matt Todd have all been invited to attend the recent ‘‘foundation day’’ one-day camps.

All Blacks captain Kieran Read also attended the camps but isn’t likely to be considered for the French tests because he is recovering from back surgery.

This will be the third time in four years the Crusaders have hosted an international team. In 2014 a second-string side lost 38-7 to England, and last year the touring British and Irish Lions beat near a full-strength Crusaders side 12-3 at AMI Stadium.

NZ Rugby has declared Christchurch will not host tests in Christchurch until 2020 at the earliest, citing concerns about the temporary stadium and a lack of infrastructure in the city.

It is understood the French squad will be based in Auckland throughout the series, and will fly to the host cities on the Thursday before games.