The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has sparked controversy by confirming that they will rest several key players for their highly anticipated 2025 tour of New Zealand.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) officials are said to be fuming after Wednesday’s announcement, which confirmed that players from Top 14 finalists would be excused from the tour.
With stars like Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos, and Damian Penaud all potentially unavailable, the All Blacks may face a second-string French squad.
This decision follows an agreement between the French national union and the country’s top clubs, allowing players involved in the latter stages of the Top 14 to sit out the mid-year tour.
The announcement has left New Zealand reeling, especially after they were hoping for a full-strength France as part of the preparations for a World Cup cycle that looms large in 2027.
According to Times rugby reporter Will Kelleher, NZR is furious at the timing of the decision, which coincides with another major rugby spectacle in 2025: the Wallabies taking on the British & Irish Lions.
The All Blacks, keen to draw attention to their clash with France, were expecting a fierce contest but may instead be hosting a French squad devoid of some of its biggest stars.
Fabien Galthié, the mastermind behind France’s rugby revival, has been consistent in his player management approach, and Wednesday’s announcement reaffirmed his stance.
Galthié had earlier flagged the possibility of leaving out his ‘premium’ players for the tour.
“We built on trust while adjusting the management of the international season by choosing to rest our ‘premium’ during the summer tours,” said Galthié. “It’s been like this for four years. Why change strategy? Because we’re travelling to the All Blacks? You have to be consistent.”
It is a similar approach used during their 2021 tour to Australia, where France narrowly lost to the Wallabies with a weakened squad.
The 2025 tour will also include a possible midweek match against a Tier 2 nation, an opportunity for France to give emerging players valuable Test experience. While this long-term vision might benefit France in the years to come, it has clearly not gone down well with the All Blacks, who were expecting a showdown of World Cup contenders.
Photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
