Already beaten twice, France play their last match in New Zealand on Saturday.
Beaten in Hamilton (81-12) and then in Whangarei (31-12), France close their series in New Zealand on Saturday in Christchurch. François Ratier named a starting XV on Thursday with six changes.
An all-Toulouse centre pairing
Gabrielle Vernier and Teani Feleu, who both went off with shoulder injuries last weekend, make way in midfield for Toulouse team-mates Charlie Gauyat (19) and Elodie Fernandez, usually a fly-half. Concussed wing Marie Ibañez is replaced by Léa Murie, with Anaïs Grando switching to the right. In the back row, Mouna Touré (concussion) and Axelle Berthoumieu (AC joint sprain) give way to Elsa Peyras and Marie Morland, back in the squad at number 8, while Léa Champon moves to flanker. At hooker, Maïlys Mailagi, a prop by trade, is preferred to Mathilde Lazarko. The bench has a six-two split.
Ending the Black Ferns run
France’s last win over New Zealand came on 21 October 2023 (18-17). The Black Ferns have won the five meetings since, including the first two Tests of this tour, scoring 112 points to 24.
France: Boulard; Grando, Gauyat, Fernandez, Murie; Arbez, Chambon (capt); Champon, Morland, Peyras; Correa, Roboam; Khalfaoui, Mailagi, Mwayembe. Replacements: Riffonneau, Bazola-Allières, Latonnelle, Grosz, Avril, Cissokho, Pedussaud, Bourgeois.
Key figures
6 changes to the starting XV
112-24 aggregate score of the first two Tests
21 October 2023 France's last win over the Black Ferns
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