New Zealand query France plans to rest stars for tour

New Zealand have asked World Rugby to clarify France's plans not to select some of their top stars for next summer's three-Test tour against All Blacks.

The French rugby union announced on Monday that, as part of an agreement with the country's clubs, it would not select players competing in the domestic Top 14 final for the national team's summer fixtures.

World Rugby has a rule – regulation nine, external – that specifies players must be made available for international selection during designated periods in the calendar.

The global governing body says the spirit of the rule is "integral to... the best interests of the sport".

"We are seeking further information and clarification from both World Rugby and the French union to better understand the situation," New Zealand Rugby said.

Toulouse, who count Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack and Peato Mauvaka among their squad, have won four of the past five Top 14 finals, but any club that makes the 28 June showpiece is likely to include a host of France internationals.

France have previously selected second-string squads to tour the southern hemisphere, most notably on their tour of Australia in 2021.

More than half of France's 42-player selection for that trip consisted of uncapped players, while Toulouse and La Rochelle's players were said to be unavailable as their Top 14 final meeting would not give them time to comply with Australia's Covid-related entry requirements.

France coach Fabien Galthie has previously signalled his intention to leave a clutch of big names behind when he headed to New Zealand, telling L'Equipe in June, external that he had identified a group of 20 'premium' players that he wished to rest.

New Zealand Rugby posted losses of NZ$8.9m (£4.2m) in June,, external with the union saying a lack of home All Black Tests hurt revenues and the absence of some of France's marquee names will damage the marketability of next summer's series.

New Zealand and South Africa have previously announced plans to revive long-haul tours between the two countries on a biennial basis – under the tagline 'the Greatest Rivalry' – as a way to boost income.