Overview
- The French Rugby Federation confirmed on Sunday that nine players from the Top 14 final will join the Nations Championship touring party in Australia but will not be considered for the opening Test in Christchurch on July 4.
- The group includes captain Antoine Dupont, fly-half Romain Ntamack and hooker Peato Mauvaka, who will board the team flight early in the week to link up with Fabien Galthié’s squad.
- Those players are scheduled to be available for France’s subsequent fixtures against Australia in Brisbane on July 11 and Japan in Tokyo on July 18.
- The federation and the National Rugby League agreed the targeted release because the selected finalists logged relatively low playing time this season and to manage player recovery after the Top 14 final.
- Toulouse’s fourth straight domestic title provided the form and depth behind the additions, which could boost France’s attacking options later in the tour and change selection choices for the July 11 and July 18 matches.