Cullen in for All-Blacks

Christian Cullen, the leading try-scorer in New Zealand's Test history, is back at full-back this Saturday's clash with the high-riding French team at the Stade de France in Paris.

Cullen's promotion to the starting XV is one of five changes from the side that lost to England last week.

Andrew Mehrtens, the leading scorer in New Zealand's proud Test history, replaces Carlos Spencer at flyhalf, the latter missing out with a right shoulder injury.

Mehrtens's Canterbury team-mate Mark Robinson, gets a start in the No.12 jersey in Keith Lowen's absence because of a groin injury.

Danny Lee, a try-scorer on debut against England last week, will make his first start in Steve Devine's place at scrumhalf in the fourth and final change to the All Black backline that served coach Mitchell so well at Twickenham.

Mitchell has made just one change up front. Auckland lock Brad Mika is preferred to Waikato's Keith Robinson in the No 5 jersey.

All Blacks : C Cullen, D Howlett, T Umaga, M Robinson, J Lomu, A Mehrtens, D Lee; J McDonnell, A Hore, K Meeuws, A Williams, B Mika, T Randell (capt) M Holah, S Broomhall. Replacements: K Mealamu, C Hayman, K Robinson, R So'oialo, S Devine, P Steinmetz, B Blair.

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli had made 10 changes - handing out three Test debuts and two first-time starts - to his starting XV for Saturday's one-off Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Only fullback Werner Greeff, right-wing Breyton Paulse, No 8 Joe van Niekerk, flank and skipper Corné Krige and lock Jannes Labuschagne remain from the side that was hammered 30-10 by France last week, whilst there are recalls to the Test side for Robbie Fleck, Butch James and Lukas van Biljon.

The Springbok team: W Greeff (Western Province); B Paulse (WP), M Joubert (WP), R Fleck (WP), F Lombard (Cheetahs); B James (Natal Sharks), J Conradie (WP); W Roux (Blue Bulls), L van Biljon (Natak), D Carstens (Natal), M Wentzel (Pumas), J Labuschagne (Lions), C Krige (capt), P Uys (Pumas), J van Niekerk (Lions).

Replacements: TBA.