France’s Squad for England and WXV1

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The joint-coaches, Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, have published the names of the 30 players to represent France in their match against England then the WXV1 series.

It is:

Forwards:
Rose Bernadou, Axelle Berthoumieu, Manon Bigot, MaiIys Borak, Yllana Brosseau, Charlotte Escudero, Madoussou Fall, Manae Feleu, Téani Feleu, Émeline Gros, Hina Ikahehegi, Assia Khalfaoui, Romane Ménager, Ambre Mwayembe, Séraphine Okemba, Élisa Riffonneau, Agathe Sochat, Chloé Vauclin (18)

Backs:

Cyrielle Banet, Océane Bordes, Émilie Boulard, Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Alexandra Chambon, Chloé Jacquet, Nassira Konde, Mélissande Llorens, Marine Ménager, Lina Queyroi, Lina Tuy, Gabrielle Vernier (12)

The choice of forwards presents only two surprises: no Annaëlle Deshaye, no Gaëlle Hermet. Unlike the Wallaroos’ announcement, there is no indication of omissions through injury, but it’s strange their absence is not explained.

Deshaye has been a vital component in the front row for several seasons; she will be missed. But ever since Hermet’s reduction to the ranks, I’ve wondered about the coaches’ appreciation of her qualities. The one other forward to be omitted is the young lock, Klara Zago.

Once more the backs offer surprises. Two of their most prominent 7s stars, Caroline Drouin and Joanna Grisez, are absent. We must bear in mind the recent appointment of Romain Huet as the head of the 7s squad; he may have laid down different demands from his long-time predecessor, David Courteix. At all events, those two missing names need some explaining.

More mysterious: other members of the Olympic squad are included: Chloé Jacquet and Séraphine Okemba.

One point of note is the forwards-backs split. It is 18-12, rather than the more familiar 17-13. We needn’t pay too much attention to a mere detail, but it might yet reveal concern about the pack’s ability to withstand the pressure they can expect from both their English and Canadian counterparts.

The conclusion of the 2023 WXV left les Bleues looking less than pleased with themselves – one win (by a single point), two losses. In her brief comments about this latest selection Mignot refers to last year merely as a time for rebuilding. Yes, there were new faces aboard, but not so many that spectators had to keep checking team-lists to know who was on the field.

In Vancouver Les Bleues will have only one match they can confidently expect to win, the second against the Eagles. First they must overcome the Maple Leafs who beat them last year 29-20, then the Black Ferns.

Not for the first time, I sense the coaches are under more pressure than the players. There is such talent available, but recent results have failed to convince. Of the top four nations, only the French coaches must be glancing over their shoulders. That is, of course, until John Mitchell has to explain away a first loss.