France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Thursday Gael Fickou was "a leader" as the experienced centre was named among four changes for this weekend's November international with New Zealand.
He is joined in the starting lineup for Saturday's game in Paris by full-back Romain Buros on his debut, winger Gabin Villiere and flanker Paul Boudehent.
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Fickou, 30, combines with Yoram Moefana after replacing Emilien Gailleton, who is among the replacements, having been used off the bench himself in last weekend's November campaign-opening win over Japan.
"He's a leader. There are no caps given away for free as presents," Galthie told reporters.
"After three weeks of preparation, he's in form. It allows us to be able to name a very balanced pair of centres," he added.
Test novice Buros is in for the dropped Leo Barre, Villiere comes in for Theo Attissogbe who has a knee issue and Boudehent takes the place of the injured Francois Cros.
The 27-year-old Buros has been a consistent performer for Bordeaux-Begles since joining them in 2018 and has scored four tries in eight games this season.
"He has confidence and certitude in his game, that he shows with his club and has done sone with us for three weeks of training," Galthie said.
"We felt it was the right moment to change," he added.
For the All Blacks, head coach Scott Robertson said it was a difficult choice to start Beauden Barrett over Damian McKenzie at fly-half for this weekend's game with France in Paris.
Barrett, 33, missed last week's win over Ireland with a head injury he suffered in the victory against England on November 2.
The two-time World Rugby player of the year replaces McKenzie in the number 10 shirt, in five changes made by coach Robertson from the success in Dublin last Friday.
"It was a very tough decision," former All Blacks back-rower Robertson told reporters before Saturday's encounter at the Stade de France where the All Blacks lost the World Cup final to South Africa a year ago.
"It's a great discussion to have when you've got two 10s in form and both good tacticians, both kicking well.
"Damian is probably the best player off the bench in the world, we believe.
"That's his role when he comes on, he can change the game," the 50-year-old added.
Winger Sevu Reece, scrum-half Cam Roigard, flanker Samipeni Finau and hooker Codie Taylor are also the new faces as New Zealand eye a first win over France since 2018.
Reece replaces the injured Mark Tele'a, Roigard comes in for Cortez Ratima and Taylor stands in for Asafo Aumua.
Finau is in at blindside as Robertson re-shuffles his back-row due to Sam Cane's concussion as Ardie Savea moves to openside and Wallace Sititi is at No 8.
France (15-1): Romain Buros; Gabin Villiere, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont (capt); Gregory Alldritt, Alexandre Roumat, Paul Boudehent; Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament: Tevita Tatafu, Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Georges-Henri Colombe, Romain Taofifenua, Mickael Guillard, Charles Ollivon, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton
New Zealand (15-1): Will Jordan; Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie
