In a move that has left rugby fans scratching their heads and insiders reportedly fuming, France is allegedly leaving two of its brightest stars at home for the upcoming Test against the All Blacks—despite a golden opportunity to bring them along. Sources close to the French camp claim that Union Bordeaux Bègles’ shocking early exit from the Top 14 playoffs won’t be enough to change the national team’s controversial selection calculus.
Bordeaux’s season came to a screeching halt after a heartbreaking 31-34 loss to ASM Clermont in the final round of the regular season. The dagger? A late drop goal from Harry Plummer—a one-cap All Black, no less. That defeat dropped UBB to eighth in the standings, abruptly ending their campaign before the knockout stage even began. For a team that had just won back-to-back Investec Champions Cup titles, it was a stunning collapse.
Many assumed Bordeaux’s early exit would free up stars Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Matthieu Jalibert to bolster France’s squad against the All Blacks in July. But, according to French outlet Sud Ouest, those hopes appear dashed. Reports indicate that head coach Fabien Galthie has already submitted a preliminary squad list to Bordeaux—and neither Bielle-Biarrey nor Jalibert made the cut.
Why the Snub? Insiders Point to a Strict Minute Cap
The reasoning, sources say, is a rigid policy that limits player availability based on minutes logged this season. Galthie has reportedly set a threshold of 25 matches and 2,000 minutes of game time. Both stars have blown past those numbers: Jalibert appeared in 27 matches for Bordeaux (1,950 minutes), while Bielle-Biarrey—the reigning Six Nations Player of the Championship—racked up a staggering 31 appearances (2,295 minutes). Insiders claim the policy makes them effectively exempt from selection, no matter how badly the team might need them.
Adding insult to injury, sources close to Bielle-Biarrey say the electric winger has already decided to take the summer off entirely, further dimming any chance of seeing him in an All Blacks Test. The 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, who was voted Six Nations Player of the Championship for a second straight year, appears content to rest and recharge.
Bordeaux captain Maxime Lucu, however, could still feature. The veteran scrum-half logged 22 matches (1,569 minutes) this season and has reportedly expressed enthusiasm about joining the French squad for the July tour. Center Yoram Moefana is also said to be in the mix.
In another twist, Sud Ouest reports that loosehead prop Jefferson Poirot may come out of international retirement after holding talks with Galthie during the season. The 33-year-old, who hung up his Test boots in 2020 to focus on club and family, has allegedly told the head coach he is open to a return. Given Cyril Baille’s decline and the shallow depth behind Jean-Baptiste Gros, Poirot’s return could be a lifeline for Les Bleus. He earned 30 caps before retiring and has rediscovered some form with Bordeaux this year.
But even if Poirot returns, the squad heading to New Zealand is shaping up to be severely weakened. If Toulouse reaches the Top 14 final, Galthie will likely draw heavily from that powerhouse club—meaning stars like Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Anthony Jelonch, Francois Cros, Emmanuel Meafou, and Thibaud Flament could all be absent from the All Blacks Test.
Controversy Reignites as Fans and Pundits Sound Off
The decision has already sparked outrage among New Zealand rugby observers. Speaking on The Breakdown, former All Black Justin Marshall didn’t hold back: “To be honest, I’m really disappointed. The side the French have brought is clearly underpowered. You’re talking about an average age of 25 and an average number of caps of 9.3. Forty-nine percent of the players have no caps at all. It’s a development team with a few senior players. In my mind, it’s complete BS. They disrespect the international window.”
This isn’t the first time Galthie has faced criticism for sending an understrength squad to New Zealand. Last year, France lost all three Tests in a series that many felt was tainted by the absence of top-tier talent. While a policy change agreed upon by the French Federation and the LNR (the club league governing body) now gives Galthie more freedom for matches against the Wallabies and Japan later in July, insiders claim that change does not apply to the All Blacks clash in Wellington. According to Midi Olympique, the loosened restrictions only cover the latter two Tests in Australia.
As the All Blacks prepare to host what many expect to be a weakened French side, questions are swirling: Is this a calculated risk to rest stars for the future, or a sign of deeper dysfunction in French rugby’s selection culture? One thing is clear—the drama is far from over.
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