France names 17 uncapped players for New Zealand tour

France's squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand has already attracted criticism, with coach Fabien Galthie openly admitting he will use this as a developmental tour.

A maximum of five players from both Toulouse and Bordeaux will join up with the touring party after the Top 14 final, taking the full squad up to 42 ahead of the final two Tests.

Racing 92 centre Fickou is seen as a key leader within Galthie's squad, and he will don the armband this summer in a rotated France squad, which will likely be without key men like Romain Ntamack and Damian Penaud.

There are also a whopping 17 uncapped players within the initial 37-man squad, with Giorgi Beria, Tyler Duguid, Baptiste Erdocio, Alexandre Fischer, Matthias Halagahu, Paul Mallez, Guillaume Marchand, Regis Montagne, Jacobus van Tonder, Theo William, Leo Berdeu, Lein Darricarrere, Thibault Daubagna, Alivereti Duguivalu, Theo Millet, Joris Segonds, Tom Spring, Cheikh Tiberghien all included.

Alongside skipper Fickou, experienced duo Rabah Slimani and Romain Taofifenua are the only other players with 50+ caps to their name.

Racing 92 forward Cameron Woki is also named after having his red card against England XV stricken off.

The three-Test series against the All Blacks begins in Dunedin on Saturday, 5th July, before heading to Wellington for the second Test a week later. The final Test will take place in Hamilton on Saturday, July 19th

France initial 37-man squad

Forwards: Esteban Abadie, Hugo Auradou, Demba Bamba, Gaetan Barlot, Giorgi Beria, Pierre Bourgarit, Georges-Henri Colombe, Tyler Duguid, Baptiste Erdocio, Alexandre Fischer, Mickael Guillard, Matthias Halagahu, Paul Mallez, Guillaume Marchand, Régis Montagne, Rabah Slimani, Romain Taofifenua, Killian Tixeront, Jacobus Van Tonder, Theo William, Cameron Woki

Backs: Theo Attissogbe, Leo Barre, Leo Berdeu, Leon Darricarrere, Thibault Daubagna, Alivereti Duguivalu, Gael Fickou (c), Emilien Gailleton, Antoine Hastoy, Baptiste Jauneau, Nolann Le Garrec, Theo Millet, Joris Segonds, Tom Spring, Sheikh Tiberghien, Gabin Villieres

READ MORE: Asenathi Ntlabakanye sweating for success under Bok scrum coach Daan Human