France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has challenged his new-look side to do the shirt proud in the final match of their three-Test series in New Zealand this weekend.
After a narrow 23-13 defeat in the opening game of the series in Auckland, France were humbled 30-0 last time out in Christchurch and will now face the All Blacks in a three-Test series for the first time since 1968 when New Zealand prevailed on each occasion.
Saint-Andre has made a host of changes including introducing a new-look half-back pairing of Jean-Marc Doussain and Remi Tales – who have just three caps between them while Benjamin Kayser replaces Dimitri Szarzewski at hooker.
Alexandre Flanquart comes into the second row to win his first cap while Antonie Claassen and Damien Chouly get the nod in the back row.
The Castres pair of Marc Andreu and Brice Dulin, with six tests apiece, also come into a re-jigged back three alongside left wing Yoann Huget.
And Saint-Andre is under no illusions as to the size of the task awaiting his side, who suffered their worst ever result in the RBS 6 Nations this year finishing bottom.
He said: “It’s the first time since 1968 we have played three tests consecutively against the best team in the world, and we know the New Zealand team the more they are together the better they are.
“For this week we bring a lot of guys with few caps and the All Blacks bring back a few guys with [many] caps.
“It will be a fantastic challenge for our players. They need to have a go, they need to be scared to play, to respect New Zealand but don’t respect them too much.
“It’s the last game of a long, long season and we need to just be proud to wear this French jersey and try to do everything to win the game.”
