France to face Southern Hemisphere onslaught

Paris - France will play Samoa, Australia and New Zealand on successive weekends in November 2016, the French Rugby Federation announced on Monday.

Les Bleus, led by new coach Guy Noves, will kick off the traditional international window against Samoa on November 12 at a venue to be decided.

Recently, France have relocated from Paris, playing Fiji in Marseille (2014), Tonga in Le Havre (2013) and Argentina in Lille (2012).

France will then host the Wallabies on November 19 before taking on the two-time reigning world champions All Blacks on November 26, both matches taking place at the Stade de France.

France Test schedule for 2016:

Six Nations

February 6, Italy, at Stade de France

February 13, Ireland, at Stade de France

February 26, Wales, at Cardiff

March 13, Scotland, at Edinburgh

March 19, England, at Stade de France

June tour

June 18, Argentina, at TBC

June 25, Argentina, at TBC

November Tests

November 12, Samoa, at TBC

November 19, Australia, at Stade de France

November 26, New Zealand, at Stade de France