Louis Picamoles will lead an inexperienced France squad, including the uncapped Bernard Le Roux © PA Photos

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Flanker Bernard Le Roux's country of origin will be an irrelevance for him if he fronts up for France against the All Blacks during the three-Test series in June. He is one of eight uncapped players in the 35-strong French tour party, and one of two originally from South Africa, along with prop Daniel Kotze.

Le Roux says his background won't make a meeting against South Africa's traditional foes extra special for him. It will be enough of a red-letter day playing for the Tricolores against the All Blacks.

"I think it's bigger playing for France against New Zealand," he said. "There's always a big atmosphere. There's something you cannot explain between the two teams. I'm really looking forward to experience that and I hope I make the team."

Le Roux, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Tuesday, went to France as a 19-year-old on a three-month contract with Paris club Racing Metro as an injury replacement. "I was supposed to play Super 14 for the Lions after," he said. "I ended up liking it so much I signed and signed and signed, and now I've signed another three-year contract."

On the representative level, he worked his way through the French academy system to be at the threshold of earning his first cap. If it comes over the next three weeks, it will be against an All Blacks team without regular skipper Richie McCaw, who is on a sabbatical.

If it is in the opening Test in Auckland on Saturday night, he will face a home side likely to be missing star fly-half Dan Carter, who is battling a hand injury. But for the 1.95-metre 111kg Le Roux, any absentees wouldn't alter French thinking towards the challenge before them.

"We'll take whatever we get," he said. "It's still the All Blacks. They've got so much depth in the New Zealand squad. It doesn't matter who they play, I know it will be physical."