The Women’s Six Nations is approaching. The competition starts on 11 April, with a first match for France against Italy. On Friday, the squad for the training camp was revealed, with a group of 32 players selected.

“This group of 32 players is the result of identification and monitoring work carried out over several weeks with the staff. Our aim is to keep widening the depth of the squad, creating healthy and demanding competition in every position“, new head coach François Ratier explained.

Ibanez retained

Among the forwards, the “old guard” of Rose Bernadou, Yllana Brosseau, Annaëlle Deshaye, Charlotte Escudero, Madoussou Fall Raclot and Assia Khalfaoui are all present. Manae Feleu will captain France. Her sister Teani does not feature in the group. The young Kiara Zago, Cloe Correra (Toulouse), Siobhan Soqeta (Grenoble) and Maïlys Mailagi (Stade Bordelais) are also included.

Behind, there are no surprises with the presence of the indestructible Pauline Bourdon-Sansus, while experienced hands Morgane Bourgeois, Carla Arbez, Gabrielle Vernier and Emilie Boulard have been called up. Marie Ibanez, called up for her first international assignment, keeps her place in the France group. Good news for a player who spoke exclusively to Ruck Zone a few months ago. The excellent Joanna Grisez will once again be the attraction of the squad.

In all, 11 players from Stade Bordelais, 8 from Stade Toulousain, 5 from ASM Romagnat, 4 from Grenoble, 2 from Blagnac and 2 from Montpellier have been called up.

The full France squad

Forwards: Rose Bernadou (Montpellier RC), Axelle Berthoumieu (Stade Bordelais), Yllana Brosseau (ASM Romagnat), Léa Champon (FC Grenoble Amazone), Khoudedia Cissokho (Stade Bordelais), Cloe Correa (Stade Toulousain), Annaëlle Deshaye (Stade Bordelais), Charlotte Escudero (Stade Toulousain), Madoussou Fall Raclot (Stade Bordelais), Manae Feleu (FC Grenoble Amazone), Assia Khalfaoui (ASM Romagnat), Mathilde Lazarko (ASM Romagnat), Maïlys Mailagi (Stade Bordelais), Ambre Mwayembe (Stade Toulousain), Elsa Peyras (Stade Bordelais), Elisa Riffonneau (FC Grenoble Amazone), Siobhan Soqeta (FC Grenoble Amazone), Kiara Zago (Stade Toulousain).

Backs: Carla Arbez (Stade Bordelais), Pauline Barrat (Stade Toulousain), Emilie Boulard (Blagnac), Pauline Bourdon-Sansus (Stade Toulousain), Morgane Bourgeois (Stade Bordelais), Alexandra Chambon (ASM Romagnat), Anais Grando (ASM Romagnat), Joanna Grisez (Stade Bordelais), Marie Ibanez (Stade Bordelais), Louen Laramy (Montpellier RC), Léa Murie (Stade Toulousain), Lina Queyroi (Stade Toulousain), Aubane Rousset (Stade Bordelais), Gabrielle Vernier (Blagnac).