The Men’s Under 20 Six Nations Championship began on 4 February. The women’s version didn’t; it doesn’t exist.
A sensible marker for when women’s rugby really turns the corner would be when an Under 20 Six Nations championship is installed. For the moment the England squad makes do with matches against Canada, the USA and above all France.
The French have just announced a 40-strong training squad to prepare for the traditional home-and-away fixtures with England. Quite unlike their big sisters the youngsters have a nearly unblemished record against perfidious Albion. An England win merits MBEs all round – well, almost.
The French Squad, announced by Caroline Suné, the manager:
Adèle Besson (Stade Bordelais)
Aissata Coulibaly (Bobigny 93)
Allcia Cravotta (Lyon OLU)
Ambre Mwayembe (Grenoble)
Apolline Gaudon (Lyon OLU)
Aubane Rousset (Stade Bordelais)
Audrey Bervin (Chilly Mazarin)
Chloé Ponthus (Lyon OLU)
Clémentine Pages (Blagnac)
Cléo Hagel (Lyon OLU)
Cyrielle Auge (Bayonne)
Cyrielle Auguste (Stade Rochelais)
Emma Lechardoy (Bayonne)
Emma Poulat (Grenoble)
Flavie Laine (Lille Métropole RCV)
Florine Thiron (Grenoble)
Hina Ikahehegi (Lille Métropole RCV)
Julia Grosz (Bayonne)
Léa Champon (Grenoble)
Lilou Graciet (Bayonne)
Louen Laramy (Montpellier)
Lucie Coupe (Stade Rochelais)
Lucile Contal (Stade Rennais)
Maelig Ngassa Manac (Stade Rennais)
Maëlle Huiban (Montpellier)
Manuia Mufana (Stade Rennais)
Margaux Baret (Lille Métropole RCV)
Margaux Bernet (Stade Bordelais)
Margaux Duces (Stade Rennais)
Margaux Dufros (Stade Rennais)
Marie Ibanez (Stade Toulousain)
Marieke Lecocq (Stade Rochelais)
Marisol Le Brun (Stade Rennais)
Suzanne Nicole (Lille Métropole RCV)
Tara Bougenot (Stade Rochelais)
Teani Fekeu (Oneleki – Grenoble)
Tifen Lesieu (Montpellier)
Zelie Reulet (Stade Toulousain)
Zoé Tixier (Romagnat)
They will train between 8-13 February in Toulouse before being reduced to a playing squad of 23. They will meet England between 21 March and 3 April.
It’s good to see representatives from Bayonne, the subject of unwanted attention late last year.
Marie Ibanez is indeed the daughter of Raphaël Ibanez, distinguished former captain of France and current Team Manager alongside Fabien Galthié.
Lead photo is from an England U20s v France in 2017 and shows Lagi Tuima making a break.
