Now we know the French side to face England in the battle for the 2023 Trophy:
15 Emilie Boulard, 14 Cyrielle Banet, 13 Marine Ménager, 12 Gabrielle Vernier, 11 Mélissande Llorens, 10 Jessy Trémoulière, 9 Pauline Bourdon, 1 Ylana Brosseau, 2 Agathe Sochat, 3 Rose Bernadou, 4 Manaé Feleu, 5 Audrey Forlani (captain), 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 7 Gaëlle Hermet, 8 Charlotte Escudero
Bench:
16 Elisa Riffoneau, 17 Ambre Mwayembe, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Romane Ménager, 20 Emeline Gros, 21 Alexandra Chambon, 22 Carla Arbez, 23 Maëlle Filopon
The management gave themselves the benefit of a few hours studying the make-up of the English 23 before announcing theirs, but it’s doubtful it made any difference to their choice.
Major decisions: Pauline Bourdon returns from a minor injury; Axelle Berthoumieu is restored to the blind-side, meaning a return to the bench of Romane Ménager. (Unlike their English counterparts, the French management don’t give an update on injuries, so we can’t tell the reason for this unexpected switch.) In turn, it means Charlotte Escudero returns to No 8. Up front Rose Bernadou at last regains her starting position at tight-head.
Now we can attempt a comparison between the two teams, unit by unit:
Front-rows – England are lucky to have Hannah Botterman fit enough to resume combat in the front line. Agathe Sochat’s line-out throws have let her down in the past, but she has worked hard at that aspect of her game. Let me know if there is a more accomplished tight-head (and outside-centre and winger!) than Sarah Bern; I look forward to seeing her.
With the reintroduction of Bernadou the French front row regains some vitally needed experience of the big-match atmosphere.
Lock – both sides have to make do without a star (Fall and Ward), but their efficiency at the line-out (a vital source of AI possession) remains solid. Manaé Feleu is less experienced there, so is Sarah Beckett, but both are gifted all-round performers. Zoe Aldcroft wasn’t voted Player of the Year for nothing. If you can outstare Audrey Forlani as she gives her pre-match battle-cry, you’re made of stern stuff.
Back-row – England’s chances are enhanced by having Marlie Packer back as captain and inspirer, as well as chief of the jackal pack. Thr French back-row will be a proper test for them. The advance of Charlotte Escaduro over the past two seasons has given them size, strength and combativeness. Despite the removal of the elder Ménager from the front line, we have the makings of a battle royal, or in one case, a battle republican.
Half-back – Jessy Trémoulière is more than one big boot; England must watch out for her running and handling. This will be her very last game, so the entire squad will be working for her. Last week’s send-off was emotional enough; this week..?
Some of Holly Aitchison’s handling last week was astonishing, witness her (almost) no-look miss pass to Tatyana Heard for her try in the left corner.
When Carla Arbez comes on, England’s rear lines will have to adapt quickly to the new angles her left foot will offer.
France have the edge at No 9. Lucy Packer will have her work cut out to restrain Pauline Bourdon if her pack gives her quick ball – which is all too possible.
Wingers at this level are far less likely to offer the 10s the option of a cross-kick, so that current favoured ploy must be severely rationed for the right moment.
Centre – we might have expected to see Maëlle Filopon in action beside the mercurial Gabrielle Vernier, but Marine Ménager has proved an excellent partner-in-crime, making powerful runs to put the defences on the back foot.
Helena Rowland’s welcome return gives a new shape to the Red Roses’ back-line. Her running lines constantly ask questions of the opposition, and she has the vision to match the outstanding performances of Vernier. But the pair will not be in direct opposition; it falls to Tatyana Heard to try to keep the lid on Vernier’s immense skills. It’s possible that Rowland’s jinks will prove a test for the less flexible Ménager.
Wing – some real class here. Two French wingers capable of reaching the greatest heights, Caroline Boujard and Cyrielle Banet, have had to fight hard to find a place in the 23. Mélissande Llorens is one reason: the Blagnac No 11 has been causing opponents a heap of trouble in recent weeks. Boujard is the one who makes way.
As for the English, even a player as skilled as Jess Breach has been in a similar position to the two Bs. Now that Claudia Macdonald has returned to fitness, she hasn’t been sure she could even step on the field for recent rounds. As for Abby Dow…
The sheer width of the cabbage patch will give the wingers that extra fraction of space to exploit their talents.
Fullbacks – Both Emilie Boulard and Ellie Kildunne are tall rangy 15s, with kicking skills to match their running and handling. Their presence at the back makes inaccurate kicks ahead a doubtful option. Indeed, counter-attack may prove the greatest spectacle of the game.
Benches: this is where England have had the upper hand for quite a while. The reserve line-up does look encouragingly strong. Pleased as they are to welcome those injured parties back, they may not last as long in action as usual. Seeing both Romane Ménager and Poppy Cleall enter the fray late is proof of the strength of both squads.
Let’s not forget the one time Middleton sent on the entire bench in one go. That was against the French. It worked – just.
Discipline
The one thing nobody wants to see is cards affecting the outcome of the match, The French have brought Aurélie Groizeleau to their training sessions to ensure they know how to stay squeaky clean.
A word for our officials. They are:
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Assistant Referee 1: Lauren Jenner (FIR)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria Heitor (PORT)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
At the moment there are at least 53,000 nobodies turning up to watch a women’s rugby match.
