France coach Guy Novès admits his team face a huge challenge when they take on New Zealand twice this November ahead of the 2018 Six Nations.
Having finished last year’s Championship in third, Les Bleus endured a disappointing summer tour to South Africa, losing all three Tests.
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This November they will face the All Blacks twice in the space of four days, along with clashes against the Springboks and Japan.
And having pushed New Zealand hard a year ago at the same stage of the year, Novès is hopeful his team can cause the world champions some problems.
He told RMC: “Last November we played this same All Black team and the France team wasn’t humiliated, we even put them under pressure. Perhaps they were at the end of a cycle and the season, it was their last match. I’m sure there was a level of laxity on their part that day. Let’s hope it’s the same for the first match.
“I’ve never said our ambition is to be champions. Our ambition is to be the best on the pitch. Minute after minute, week after week and month after month.
“At the end we’ll see where we are. At the moment I’m looking after the France team, I’m not going to change. Saying that we are getting ready to beat the All Blacks would be presumptuous. It would make everyone smile.”
