France women make eight changes

Lock Lou Roboam makes her first start.

Francois Ratier has recalled his senior players after France’s heaviest defeat since 1996. “There is no fear, there is a desire to show we are better than that. It really came from the players,” the head coach said.

Senior players return

Carla Arbez returns at fly-half alongside scrum-half and captain Alexandra Chambon, Emilie Boulard at full-back and Gabrielle Vernier in the centre with Teani Feleu. Up front, Ambre Mwayembe and Cloe Correa return from suspension, Mathilde Lazarko is preferred to Elisa Riffonneau at hooker and Lou Roboam makes her first start. Anais Grando replaces Lea Murie on the wing. Aubane Rousset and Annaelle Deshaye are injured.

The team

Boulard; Ibanez, Vernier, T. Feleu, Grando; Arbez, Chambon (capt); Berthoumieu, Toure, Champon; Roboam, Correa; Khalfaoui, Lazarko, Mwayembe.

Replacements: Riffonneau, Bazola-Allieres, Latonnelle, Grosz, Peyras, Pedussaud, Queyroi, Gauyat.

Three wins in eight

Since 2020, France have won three of their eight games against the Black Ferns, the last in October 2023 in Wellington (18-17).