A week after letting the Black Ferns get away, France go again with a partly reshuffled side, and not only by choice.

Three new caps

François Ratier has picked three players who have never worn the France shirt: Maïlys Mailagi, Mouna Touré and Élodie Fernandez. All three start on the bench on Saturday at 5.45pm at the Stade Maurice-David in Aix-en-Provence.

Élodie Fernandez, a 23-year-old fly-half from the Haute Vallée de l’Aude, was called up this summer to prepare for the competition. It was her first time at Marcoussis.

Five changes, three of them forced

The head coach has made five changes to his starting XV. Three of them are not selection decisions: Kelly Arbey, Lili Dezou and Chloé Jacquet have joined the France sevens squad. As a knock-on effect, Anaïs Grando, Gabrielle Vernier and Émilie Boulard come into the side.

Up front, Elisa Riffonneau starts at hooker and Cloé Correa in the second row.

Starting XV: Boulard, Grando, Vernier, Téani Feleu, Murie Arbez, Bourdon Sansus, Champon, Escudero, Berthoumieu, Correa, Grosz, Khalfaoui, Riffonneau, Mwayembe.

Replacements: Mailagi, Brosseau, Deshaye, Soqeta, Touré, Chambon, Queyroi, Fernandez.

After a false start

France opened their Global Series campaign with a 28-14 defeat to New Zealand in Lyon. After trailing, they had closed to within seven points before fading in the final quarter of an hour.

Assia Khalfaoui, who starts again at tighthead prop, sums up what was missing: “We still lack technical accuracy.” The head coach, for his part, is asking for patience with a largely new-look group.

A fixture list that is tightening

This second match comes shortly before the end of the 2027 Six Nations, whose final round is now set: France will face England at Twickenham on Saturday 15 May 2027, as in 2023 and 2025.