Only four days after publishing their 2024 Six Nations team did FFR announce their captain.
Manae Feleu was again honoured.
The English tend to appoint their captains according to seniority. The last exception I can recall was Will Carling, then 22. At the moment Marlie Packer is in charge. She can look back across 99 caps.
But different values operate in France. When Annick Hayraud announced 21-year-old Gaelle Hermet as her new captain, I may not have been the only person surprised by the news. But it turned out to be an inspired choice.
Now FFR confirms that Manae Feleu will retain the post. She was the surprise choice for WXV, but sensible in that she was more familiar with New Zealand than her team-mates. The latest news suggests there were other good reasons for promoting one of the younger members of the squad. Congratulations to her.
And she has the added pleasure of seeing her younger sister, Teani, joining the squad.
