Coach Aaron Mauger has a mix of experienced campaigners that will be rewarded with game time and another complement of youngsters that are eager to play their first match in Highlanders' colours.
"It is a great opportunity to have that mixture of the old and the young - the guys that are going to be the future of the Highlanders," Mauger said.
"It is an exciting opportunity for some of our young guys to play their first game for the Highlanders in Paripari Parkinson and Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
"They're two guys that have worked really hard throughout the year and they have really earned that opportunity to get among it.
"Guy Miller plays his first game for the side this year and it is a good opportunity for Guy."
The Highlanders locking stocks epitomise the side's mix of youth and experience.
Parkinson (21) will lock the scrum with 36-year-old Alex Ainley.
Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes and Josh Dickson form a handy backup loose forward trio in the absence of Liam Squire, Luck Whitelock and the rested Dillon Hunt.
The Highlanders' front row stocks have been boosted with the return of Siate Tokolahi from a leg injury sustained in May.
"Siate is an extremely important member of our side and he has worked extremely hard to get himself back and fit for this game, so he is going to be important for us going forward."
Tokolahi will pack down with Ash Dixon and Aki Seiuli.
Absent All Blacks make way for experienced campaigners Richard Buckman and Matt Faddes to be called up into starting spots in the backline alongside regular starters Rob Thompson, Tevita Li and Lima Sopoaga.
The only main surprise in the Highlanders' backline came at number 9, where Josh Renton was named to start ahead of Kayne Hammington.
"It is a great opportunity for Josh, he hasn't had a lot of opportunity this year in terms of the `Landers, but he is a guy that has toiled away all year and when he has ... had those opportunities he has taken those," Mauger said.
A cool midwinter's evening in Invercargill and the French Barbarians bringing their European style of rugby into the game could see a rugged, forward-dominated match.
But Mauger was not counting out the French side, which is coming off a 42-26 loss to the Crusaders, throwing a few curveballs.
"I think there are always surprises with the French," Mauger said.
"For us there has been a big focus on our game while being really mindful of the areas where they are strong.
"I thought their set piece was very dominant against the Crusaders, they scrummed well, they mauled well and they scored tries from their mauls.
"Keeping them out of our 22m is going to be important, that is a strength of ours and obviously we have plans to combat that and also plans to pressure their game and playing to our strengths as well."
Mauger chose to hand the co-captaincy of the side to departing first-five Lima Sopoaga, rather than to a future Highlanders' leader.
The move was to reward Sopoaga for the excellent leadership he has shown within the squad, Mauger said.
Highlanders to play French Barbarians
Josh McKay, Matt Faddes, Rob Thompson, Richard Buckman, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga (cc), Josh Renton, Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Josh Dickson, Paripari Parkinson, Alex Ainley, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (cc), Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Greg Pleasants- Tate, Guy Millar, Tyrel Lomax, Dan Pryor, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.