Ireland fly-half Jackson signs new Ulster deal

So you do not think a 3-Test series between France [6N kings] and the mighty ABs is worth watching??

And we all just sit back and admire the huge passionate crowds at French club rugby and say “That’s how you do it.”.

The game is on its knees in my country, and all that happens is the rich get richer. There will be nobody to play in 20 years, France.

International rugby needs all the support it can get and it is not receiving it across the board.

Four interestingly are UBB backs!

There are number in the France 23 that beat Ireland whose minutes are low enough to warrant consideration.

But they were not and that decision was based on politics not welfare.

Sadly, France will never reciprocate. They'll just alter the date of the Top 14 final to avoid testing themselves in the cauldron that is Test rugby in New Zealand, South Africa and once upon a time, Australia.

Kiwi pundits and fans are right to be cranky about this but they should express their disappointment every time France bring a 2nd or 3rd string team to this part of the world, not just when it impacts them.

New Zealand winning all 3 Teats by a cricket score is likely and will do this July window no good in the shadows of a Lions series that might not be close and a South African July itinerary that won’t exactly be pulsating.

1. Gros 1074/24

2. Mauvaka 982/21

3. Atonio 1284/27

4. Flament 1924/30*

5. Guillard 1504/29#

6. Cros 1759/26

7. Boudehent 1678/27

8. Alldritt 1814/27*

9. Le Garrec 1960/32*#

10. Ntamack 1479/22

11. Bielle-Biarrey 2277/33*

12. Moefana 2174/30*

13. Barassi 1751/25#

14. Penaud 2045/26*

15. Ramos 2205/28*

16. Marchand J 1321/29

17. Baille 635/18

18. Aldegheri 1303/29

19. Meafou 1503/30

21. Auradou 1503/30#

20. Jegou 1142/20

21. Jelonch 1401/28

22. Lucu 2106/32*

* = over limit # = selected for NZ and NLG in for Dupont

You can see some players have been picked for the tour despite being ‘over the limit’ for number of games played. There are a number whose minutes are low enough to make their selection entirely realistic [even allowing for injuries].