The French staff have revealed the party to play in the 2025 RWC.
Forwards
MAKARITA BALEINADOGO
ROSE BERNADOU
AXELLE BERTHOUMIEU
MANON BIGOT
YLLANA BROSSEAU
LEA CHAMPON
KHOUDEDIA CISSOKHO
ANNAELLE DESHAYE
CHARLOTTE ESCUDERO
MADOUSSOU FALL RACLOT
MANAE FELEU
TEANI FELEU
AGATHE GERIN (nee SOCHAT)
HINA IKAHEHEGI
ASSIA KHALFAOUI
TAINA MAKA
MARIE MORLAND
SERAPHINE OKEMBA
ELISA RIFFONNEAU
Backs
KELLY ARBEY
CARLA ARBEZ
EMILIE BOULARD
PAULINE BOURDON SANSUS
MORGANE BOURGEOIS
ALEX CHAMBON
JOANNA GRISEZ
NASSIRA KONDE
MARINE MENAGER
CARLA NEISEN
LINA QUEYROI
LINA TUY
GABRIELLE VERNIER
Two days earlier than expected, the French staff have revealed their hand.
As is typical these days, no details are offered about their thinking, their choices. But we may deduce the odd hard fact.
They have opted for the safer 19:13 split in favour of the pack.
We can only guess at the absence of certain players such as Joyeux, Domain, Mwayembe and Zago. I suspect the selectors have simply opted in favour of some of the newer names listed above.
Emeline Gros is a notable omission. If the reason isn’t injury, it will bring to mind the absence of Gaelle Hermet from the previous RWC: an alleged lack of height and weight. Their leadership and knowledge may again prove a grave loss.
No captain is indicated; we may assume Marine Menager and Manae Feleu will retain responsibility.
Once more les Bleues face the challenge of reaching the final. Time and again they have fallen at the semi-final stage.
At first glance I doubt they can turn the tables this time. At their best they can beat anyone, but the essential virtue is consistency.
