**All Black icon slams French rugby for ‘disrespectful’ selection policy ahead of New Zealand tour**
The long-standing rugby rivalry between New Zealand and France has taken a fresh twist with former All Black Justin Marshall hitting out at France’s decision to send a youthful, under-strength squad for their summer Test series in New Zealand. Marshall’s blunt critique, aired live on Sky Sports New Zealand, has sparked fresh debate about the spirit of international competition and the obligations teams have toward the global rugby audience.
This year, French head coach Fabien Galthié has opted to rest a significant portion of his top-tier players, including stars like Romain Ntamack, Damien Penaud, and Grégory Alldritt. The average age of the French travelling squad is just over 25, with almost half yet to earn their first international cap. For many in New Zealand, this has prompted concerns about diminished competitiveness—and, in Marshall’s words, a lack of respect for the game.
Marshall, now a respected pundit after earning 81 caps for the All Blacks, did not hold back. “To be honest, I’m really disappointed. The team the French have brought is clearly underpowered,” he said. “It’s basically a development side with only a handful of seniors. In my mind, it’s complete nonsense the way they’re treating this tour, and I feel they’re disregarding the spirit of the international window.”
The decision stems partly from a French Rugby Federation and National Rugby League policy agreed last autumn, which prevents players involved in the Top 14 final from participating in mid-year Tests. With Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles recently contesting the final, many first-choice stars are unavailable. Galthié and his federation argue the policy safeguards the welfare of players and supports French clubs, giving ‘premium’ internationals significant mandatory rest each season.
Galthié explained to French publication L’Equipe that the management of players’ workloads is becoming increasingly crucial. “We want to go further while taking into account the challenges of the clubs,” the coach said. “Players will benefit from four mandatory weeks off and four weeks without matches.” He also pointed to the heavier schedules faced by elite players in the northern hemisphere, who, he claims, play up to seven more matches per season than their southern counterparts—fuel for the argument that French internationals require careful management to avoid injury and burnout.
Despite the rationale, the move has not been welcomed universally. Reports from within the French camp suggest that many players are frustrated by the policy, regarding the chance to play the All Blacks in New Zealand as a rare and coveted challenge. As commentator Tony Johnson noted, “They want to come on this tour. They still see a series in New Zealand against the All Blacks as one of the ultimate challenges in rugby—perhaps the ultimate challenge outside of a World Cup.”
New Zealand Rugby’s own concerns about the French approach have even led them to consult with World Rugby for clarification. Under Regulation 9, unions are required to release players for international windows. However, with domestic and club considerations increasingly influential in global rugby, enforcement of these rules has proved complex.
Fans in New Zealand have voiced their disappointment too. There is a widespread sense that rugby’s traditional tours—built on mutual recognition and respect—are being eroded by commercial realities and scheduling pressures. As Marshall put it, “When we tour in November, we field our best players for the French crowds, filling their stadiums and ensuring fans see the best in the world. They’re not reciprocating.”
With France fielding what’s effectively a development side, questions remain about the spectacle awaiting fans and the future of such historic fixtures. Yet, with rugby’s congested calendar and mounting pressures on players, finding a balance between club, country and athlete welfare is likely to remain a contentious issue for the sport worldwide.
As the first Test looms, eyes will be on the young French side to see whether they can defy expectations on New Zealand soil—or whether the controversy over selection will dominate debate beyond the final whistle. Either way, this episode has reignited discussions about what international rugby owes to players, unions, and supporters alike.