France’s first opponents in this Nations Championship, New Zealand will turn up short-handed. Head coach Dave Rennie has named a 34-man squad marked by absences, starting with that of his usual captain Scott Barrett. A situation worth watching closely ahead of the opening clash on 4 July in Christchurch.

Savea captain, a crowded treatment room

It is Ardie Savea who inherits the armband, in the absence of the injured Scott Barrett. The number 8 returns to a role he already knows well. But behind him, the list of absentees is a heavy one: Tamaiti Williams, Fabian Holland and Leicester Fainga’anuku are all missing for physical reasons. More worrying still, lock Tupou Vaa’i has been selected despite suffering concussion in the Super Rugby final against the Hurricanes; should he drop out, Jamie Hannah would take his place.

Ioane, the absentee who is not injured

One absence stands out, and it has nothing to do with medicine: that of Rieko Ioane. The centre or wing, who spent a six-month stint at Leinster, was heavily criticised for his level of performance in Ireland. Despite a URC title and a Champions Cup final, he has not been picked: a purely sporting call from Dave Rennie.

Four new faces and a baptism against France

To compensate, Rennie is backing youth with four newcomers: Hurricanes wings Josh Moorby and Fehi Fineanganofo, who this season broke the record for tries in a single Super Rugby campaign (16), versatile Blues back-rower Anton Segner, among the competition’s best tacklers, and prop Xavier Numia. “Each of these men has had an outstanding Super Rugby season and thoroughly deserves his place”, the head coach explained. It remains to be seen which of them will be thrown in at the deep end as early as 4 July in Christchurch, against a France side who will have arguments of their own to put forward.