The French co-coaches have posted the names of 32 players to form the squads for the last three matches of the current Six Nations.
They are:
Forwards:
Zago, Bernadou, Berthoumieu, Bigot, Brosseau, Champon, Domain, Escudero, Fall Raclot,
M. Feleu, T. Feleu, Joyeux, Khalfaoui, Lazarko, R. Ménager, Mwayembe, Okemba, Riffonneau,
Backs:
Amédée, Arbey, Arbez, Bordes, Boulard, Bourdon Sansus, Bourgeois, Chambon, Grisez,
Konde, Llorens Vigneres, M. Ménager, Queyroi, Vernier
Reactions
The best news is the return to fitness of the prop Assia Khalfaoui, winger Joanna Grisez and No 8
Romane Ménager. These three will restore experience and ability to the squad, as they attempt to
wrest the crown from Les Anglaises.
Ménager has been out for three months, recovering from concussion. But she made an unexpected appearance in the Hong Kong Sevens, her first ever plunge into that code.
This strengthening of the squad could hardly come at a better time. While the ultimate aim is to reach further into the knock-out stages of the World Cup than ever before – that is, actually reach a first final – they would dearly love to topple England from their perch in the 6N.
These additions mean the inevitable exclusion of three others, all young and well regarded: Hina Ikahehegi, Taïna Maka and Lina Tuy. But their return further strengthens the bench, a vital element in countering the Red Roses’ power.
How things have gone
The two results so far, 38-15 against Scotland, and 27-15 against Ireland, are typical of the current French side: clear enough victories, but neither of them runaways, and in each they conceded multiple scores. Morgane Bourgeois showed her value by kicking 20 of France’s 38 points in La Rochelle.
Admittedly the loss of Gabrielle Vernier to a red card in Belfast was a big downer, but Dannah O’Brien had an off-day from the tee, while Bourgeois’ boot added more vital points. 32 in two matches is some going.
The 6N is a matter of small margins. In France’s case it meant the loss of a bonus point in Belfast.
They must see their next fixture, against Cymru, as a chance to fine-tune the engine. They outmuscled the Scots up front, and, whatever improvements Sean Lynn achieves across the current 14-day gap, he can’t suddenly add pace and power.
Two more details: Nassira Konde returns after a brief absence for a head injury, but Agathe Sochat remains out of action for the time being, a sore loss. That may help to explain the presence of one unfamiliar nameon the list, Mathilde Lazarko, a promising young hooker from Romagnat.
The remaining fixtures:
12 April v Wales, home
19 April v Italy, away
26 April v England, away
