Parra to captain France for final Test
France halfback Morgan Parra will lead his side for their final Test against the All Blacks on Saturday.
The new captain made his debut for France a decade ago in 2008, and led from the front in the two opening tests.
Before this test series, Parra made his last appearance for France in 2015.
Mathieu Bastareaud - who captained France for the first two tests - drops out of Jacques Brunel's 23, as does his midfield partner Geoffrey Doumayrou.
Wesley Fofana and Remi Lamerat are Brunel's new centre pairing.
Fofana, who plays for Clermont, missed the first two Tests after he was ruled out with a neck injury that also kept him out of the Six Nations earlier this year.
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Fullback Benjamin Fall retains the No. 15 jersey. Fall is eligible for the Test after a World Rugby-appointed judicial committee cancelled the red card he received for his collision with Beauden Barrett last Saturday.
Lyon lock Felix Lambey can earn his first Test cap from the bench while Adrien Pelissie returns as backup hooker in place of Pierre Bourgarit.
France: 15. Benjamin Fall, 14. Teddy Thomas, 13. Remi Lamerat, 12. Wesley Fofana, 11. Gael Fickou, 10. Anthony Belleau, 9. Morgan Parra (C), 8. Kevin Gourdon, 7. Kelian Galletier, 6. Mathieu Babillot, 5. Yoann Maestri, 4. Bernard Le Roux, 3. Uini Atonio, 2. Camille Chat, 1. Dany Priso.
Reserves: 16. Adrien Pelissie, 17. Cyril Baille, 18. Cedate Gomes Sa, 19. Felix Lambey, 20. Alexandre Lapandry, 21. Baptiste Serin, 22. Jules Plisson, 23. Maxime Medard.
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I agree with a B+ rating for the ABs this year. That is a pass mark in a transition season. A new coach, loss of senior players, injuries, some bizarre refereeing calls at times and sometimes unlucky rubs of the green all conspired to deprive this side of the perfect record. I foresee better results next year. No panic just yet.
Go to commentsThe Boks played the weakest teams in Europe!!!
And Ireland lost to the ABs at home so not so impressive
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