France hand debuts to Grosz and Dezou for WXV opener against resurgent Black Ferns

France head coach François Ratier has named two uncapped players and three sevens specialists in his matchday 23 for the WXV Global Series opener against New Zealand, with the match taking place this Sunday.

Lock Julia Grosz and outside centre Lili Dezou will both make their Test debuts, with Ratier forced into an unusually deep reshuffle. Regular captain Manae Feleu is absent while pursuing her medical studies, second row Madoussou Fall Raclot is away with pregnancy, and Kiara Zago is ruled out through injury. Grosz partners five-cap lock Siobhan Soqeta in the second row, while Dezou lines up alongside Teani Feleu in midfield.

The three sevens inclusions — fullback Chloé Jacquet, wing Kelly Arbey, and Dezou — bring international pedigree of a different kind. Jacquet and Arbey have previously earned Test caps in the XVs game, while Dezou, 22, represented France at the Paris Olympics in 2024 with Stade Toulousain. Ratier confirmed all three will return to the sevens programme after this fixture.

Pauline Bourdon-Sansus takes the captaincy at scrum-half in Feleu’s absence, partnering fly-half Carla Arbez. Among the replacements, Gloucester Hartpury-bound centre Gabrielle Vernier returns after missing three rounds of the Women’s Six Nations with a shoulder injury sustained against Wales.

France face a New Zealand side in strong form under head coach Whitney Hansen, who is yet to lose since taking charge. The Black Ferns arrived at the tournament on the back of a 52-20 win over South Africa in Soweto.

Ratier spoke with clear respect for the opposition ahead of kick-off. “New Zealand is a fantastic team,” he said. “They were world champions almost every time, but they slipped a little after changing their style of play — and not for the better. Now, they’ve returned to a style that suits them better, featuring more power and, above all, more structure. They are striking a balance between the upright game, playing at height, and offloading in the tackle. They are back.”

The French coach acknowledged the gap that still exists but pointed to progress. “When they launch an attack, it is planned, creative, determined, and precise. That is the standard we need to aim for, too. We’re getting closer.”

France matchday 23 v New Zealand

15 Chloé Jacquet, 14 Kelly Arbey, 13 Lili Dezou, 12 Teani Feleu, 11 Léa Murie, 10 Carla Arbez, 9 Pauline Bourdon-Sansus (c), 1 Ambre Mwayembe, 2 Mathilde Lazarko, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 4 Julia Grosz, 5 Siobhan Soqeta, 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 7 Léa Champon, 8 Charlotte Escudero.

Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Yllana Brosseau, 18 Annaëlle Deshaye, 19 Cloé Correa, 20 Khoudedia Cissokho, 21 Alexandra Chambon, 22 Lina Queyroi, 23 Gabrielle Vernier.