women
international women
France captain Pauline Bourdon Sansus will not travel to New Zealand for her team WXV Global Series game against the Black Ferns.
In agreement with the coaching staff led by François Ratier, the scrum-half will remain in France for family reasons. He remains available to join the team if needed. The new captain will be announced on Wednesday, October 7.
The absence of Bourdon Sansus means France will turn to a new captain for the tour of New Zealand. With regular captain Manae Feleu unavailable this fall as she prioritizes her medical studies, Ratier will have to choose his latest leader carefully.
France will also be without the experienced trio of Yllana Brosseau, Siobhan Soqeta and Charlotte Escudero due to injury.
So far in the WXV Global Series, France have lost to the Black Ferns but have recorded wins against the Wallaroos and Canada. Their last win, against a North American side, was their most complete performance this fall.
They will face a New Zealand side who have recorded two wins in Europe, beating France before defeating Scotland in Edinburgh. Last Saturday, however, the Black Ferns suffered a narrow defeat against the Red Roses, conceding in the final game at the Allianz Stadium.
“We go to New Zealand with the ambition to play well and win games,” Ratier said. “The squad will be somewhat reconstructed and younger, but the ambitions remain the same. The goal is to improve and achieve results.
“These games in New Zealand are perfectly in line with the continuity of our project. They will allow us to build on the work already underway with the squad, while giving young players the opportunity to test themselves against the best in the international game. It is an important step in continuing to build and expand our group.”
French national team on tour in New Zealand | WXV Global Series 2026
Forward
Ylona Avril (Stade Toulouse / FC Villefranche de Lauragais)
Amalia Bazola Allieres (Stade Toulouse / FC Villefranche de Lauragais)
Axelle Berthoumieu (Stade Bordelais / Espalion Nord Aveyron)
Lea Champon (FC Grenoble Amazon / US Vinay)
Khoudedia Cissokho (Stade Bordelais / AAS Sarcelles)
Cloé Correa (Stade Toulouse / SC Albi)
Annaëlle Deshaye (Stade Bordelais / Yvetot Rugby Club)
Julia Grosz (Blagnac RF / AS Castelmoron XV)
Assia Khalfaoui (Stade Bordelais / COP XV Pont-du-Casse)
Marion Latonnelle (RC Toulon PM / RC Plabennec)
Mathilde Lazarko (ASM Romagnat / ASM Romagnat)
Maïlys Mailagi (Stade Bordelais / RC Toulon)
Marie Morland (Montpellier HR / Tangonnais Rugby Club)
Ambre Mwayembe (Stade Toulouse / US Vizille)
Elsa Peyras (Stade Bordelais / SO Maubourguetois Rugby)
Elisa Riffonneau (FC Grenoble Amazones / US Joué)
Lou Roboam (Stade Toulouse / FC Villefranche de Lauragais)
Mouna Toure (ASM Romagna / USAP XV Women)
The back
Carla Arbez (Stade Bordelais / Oléron RC)
Emilie Boulard (AC Bobigny 93 Rugby / Chilly-Mazarin Rugby Club)
Morgane Bourgeois (Stade Bordelais / Parempuyre Rugby Club)
Alexandra Chambon (ASM Romagnat / US Montmélian)
Téani Feleu (FC Grenoble Amazones / Afili Futuna Rugby)
Élodie Fernandez (Stade Toulouse / US Quillan Limoux Haute Vallée de l’Aude)
Charlie Gauyat (Stade Toulouse / Bidart Union Club)
Anaïs Grando (ASM Romagnat / US miles)
Marie Ibañez (Stade Bordelais / Capbreton Hossegor Rugby)
Lea Murie (Toulouse Stadium / US Dax Rugby)
Lylou Pedussaud (Stade Toulouse / US Colomiers)
Lina Queyroi (Stade Toulouse / Union Rugby Club Auvezère)
Aubane Rousset (Stade Bordelais / RUS Hayange)
Gabrielle Vernier (Gloucester Hartpury / Rueil AC)
