The All Blacks could play a mid-week Test against the French on their 2017 end of season tour according to reports out of France.
Confirmation of the Barbarians fixture on November 4 killed off any speculation that the All Blacks would meet either the high-flying English or France on that weekend with the latter currently in negotiations to play a second match against the world champions.
With the All Blacks facing a packed November schedule, it's understood that the head of the FFR Bernard Laporte is determined to get a second meeting locked in, which includes a mid-week Test during prime time.
Confirmation of the second meeting is expected later this month with the Test likely to be held in the southern city of Marseille on Tuesday November 14.
It would be the first mid-week match for the All Blacks since their tour to the north back in 2008.
Reports have previously suggested a Test match at the end of their tour, however, with the timing of the match would sit outside the northern hemisphere international window, meaning clubs would have the final say over the availability of their players.
The All Blacks are set to play Scotland at Murrayfield on November 18 followed by Wales in Cardiff on Saturday November 25.
Newshub.