There is a history of rancour and recriminations between France and New Zealand and this summer's Test series promises to be red-hot
Starting their season against a dangerous French team will be as hard for the All Blacks as the 2022 series against Ireland.
France player ratings: France sealed the Guinness Six Nations title with a 35-16 victory over Scotland at the Stade de France, but it was not a match that went their way throughout.
Despite losing their inspirational talisman Antoine Dupont to injury after just 29 minutes, they simply blew Ireland away with a bench-assisted, second-half power surge.
Fabien Galthie’s French swatted aside Italy last Sunday in Rome with a record 73-24 victory that featured 11 tries.
Embracing the dry and sunny Sunday afternoon conditions, the invite to create was eagerly snapped up by two sides who frequently moved the ball, and six tries in a compelling opening half-hour – four to the bonus-point earning French – materialised.
Fabien Galthie has changed four players in his starting XV to take on Italy in Rome on Sunday to the one that lost to England in round two of the Guinness Six Nations, with further changes on the bench.
France player ratings: France's hopes of a Grand Slam were shattered at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on Saturday, as England struck late to win 26-25 in round two of the Guinness Six Nations.