All Blacks v France Nations Championship: France to again send weakened team to NZ

The All Blacks’ lightweight home programme for 2026 just got leaner with the news last night that France are again sending an understrength squad to New Zealand.

Just four of the All Blacks’ 13 tests this year are at home, with the first against France at Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium in their opening Nations Championship match on July 4.

The French Rugby Federation and National Rugby League, the organisation that runs the country’s professional rugby competitions, last night announced an agreement that ensures no players involved in the Top 14 final on June 28 will be available for the All Blacks test six days later.

France coach Fabien Galthie can select who he wants for their second Nations Championship test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 11 but will have to reach a case-by-case agreement with clubs.

France finish the July window with a test in Japan on July 18.

Antoine Dupont’s Toulouse lead the table after 14 rounds of the regular season, with the likes of Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s Bordeaux-Begles, Pau and Stade Francais also contenders to reach the final.

The All Blacks’ other tests in New Zealand this year are two other Nations Championship home games against Italy in Wellington on July 11 and Ireland at Eden Park on July 18, plus a Bledisloe Cup test against Australia at Eden Park on October 10.

Former France captain Galthie also took a second-string side to face the All Blacks last season, suffering a three-test series whitewash.

The French Rugby Federation and National Rugby League said the player release deal would run until 2031 and was set to be ratified at their annual meetings on February 5.

“It’s the right compromise to be able to have the best league in the world and the France national team in a position to win a Rugby World Cup,” the two organisations said in a joint statement. “It’s a principle of intelligence and co-operation between the France coaches and the club coaches.”

Galthie will be able to name squads of 42 players for the Nations Championship and Six Nations but with new restrictions, including a maximum number of individuals from one club in his extended set-up.

France start the defence of their Six Nations title against Ireland in Paris on February 6.