Squire in doubt, while Ioane improves as All Blacks prepare for France

Loose forward Liam Squire is in major doubt for the All Blacks' opening test of their northern tour after illness left him holed up in bed while his 42 team-mates had their first major training hitout of the week.

Meanwhile, winger Rieko Ioane is a better prospect to play than he was when they rolled into Paris on Sunday, after he had been diagnosed with the squad's second (though unrelated) bout of the mumps.

Final decisions on both will be made over the next day or so.

"He's a bit crook, so has been stuck in his room," assistant coach Ian Foster said, confirming it was not mumps-related.

In terms of Squire's selection prospects, medical advice would be followed. "At the moment he's in bed. If he comes right in the next 24 hours they'll tell us where he's at from an energy side. Otherwise he'll be out."