France centre Damien Traille has admitted he was shocked by the call up to the France squad ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday.
The experienced back last played for Les Bleus in the pool stages against their opponents this weekend, with the RBS 6 Nations side losing 37-17 to the All Blacks.
Traille has since failed to make the bench in all of France's last three games at the tournament, but has earned a place as a replacement for the final at Eden Park, Auckland.
France defence coach David Ellis believes Traille will add something different to the back-line ahead of the monumental task of taking on New Zealand for the Webb Ellis Trophy ahead of them.
He said: "Damien is a big game player. We've got a few left-footers in the team.
"Damien is a right-footer, so he gives the extra option, but we could also use him at number ten, at centre or at full-back, so there's various different options."