Alexandra Chambon to captain France against the Black Ferns

She had already taken the armband every time she came off the bench in September.

The choice was expected. During the first three WXV Global Series games in September, against New Zealand (14-28), Australia (29-26) and Canada (21-5), Alexandra Chambon took the armband each time she came on for Pauline Bourdon Sansus. Bourdon Sansus (30, 79 caps) will not travel, having chosen to stay with her family. Manae Feleu is pursuing her medical studies.

“It’s obviously a mark of confidence, so something very positive. I also see it as a real honour,” Chambon told Rugbyrama. She has previously captained Grenoble and France’s age-grade sides.

Bourdon Sansus welcomed Ratier’s choice in L’Équipe: “Alexandra fully deserves this status. She has quite a natural leadership, she manages to bring others with her.”

Three Tests in New Zealand

France face the Black Ferns in Hamilton on Saturday 17 October, in Whangarei on 24 October and in Christchurch on 31 October. They lost the first meeting of the series on 12 September (14-28) before beating Australia and Canada. Since 2018, the two sides have won five times each in ten meetings, but France have lost their last three against New Zealand (14-39 in 2024, 26-42 in 2025, 14-28 in September). Their last win came on 21 October 2023 (18-17).

The 32-player squad includes two scrum-halves, Alexandra Chambon and Lylou Pedussaud.