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France pick Aussie for squad to tour Australia & NZ
Reuters • June 24th, 2026 10:31 am
Tom Staniforth is tackled while playing for the Waratahs. He has been in France since 2021 | Photo: Darren England/AAP
France have selected Canberra-born Tom Staniforth among the squad to play New Zealand, Australia and Japan in the Nations Championship.
The 31-year-old former Waratah, who moved to France in 2021 and thus qualified on residency, is among 33 players named by coach Fabien Galthie.
This was trimmed from 39 players who had been at a training camp ahead of Tuesday's departure for Australia. but will be added to after this weekend's Top 14 final.
Galthie left nine places available for players from Montpellier and Toulouse to join after they play on Saturday, including first-choices Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.
French coach Fabien Galthie has named Tom Staniforth in a Nations Champiosnhip squad of 33 so far | Photo: AP
Winger Damian Penaud returns to the squad after missing out on the Six Nations tournament, while there are seven uncapped players including lock Staniforth and Olympic sevens gold medallist Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang.
France will be based in Brisbane as they prepare for their first fixture in the new competition against New Zealand in Christchurch on July 4, followed by Australia in Brisbane on July 11 and Japan in Tokyo on July 18.
