The France women’s team now know their programme for the first edition of the WXV Global Series, the new international competition bringing together the world’s twelve leading nations from this autumn. François Ratier’s players will contest six fixtures between 12 September and 31 October.

Three home fixtures to open the campaign

The competition, built around cross tours in the manner of the men’s Nations Championship, will start in France with three successive appointments, all kicking off at 5.45pm. Les Bleues will open with a heavyweight tie against the Black Ferns on Saturday 12 September at the Matmut Stadium in Lyon, before hosting Australia on 19 September at the stade Maurice-David in Aix-en-Provence, then Canada on 26 September at Marcel-Deflandre, in La Rochelle.

Three trips to the Black Ferns to finish

Manae Feleu’s team-mates will then fly out to New Zealand, where they will face the six-time world champions three more times, on 17, 24 and 31 October. That makes four meetings in all with the Black Ferns in this single international window, against an opponent who denied France bronze in the third-place play-off at the 2025 World Cup (a 42-26 defeat).

A full-scale test for Ratier

Runners-up in the last Six Nations, Les Bleues will therefore face only three opponents, but all of the highest calibre. For François Ratier and his staff, this repeated run against the world benchmark will provide a unique base to work from, in varied conditions, at home and then on New Zealand soil.