France hand first caps to Lagrandeur and Latonnelle for WXV clash with Wallaroos

France Women’s head coach François Ratier has named two uncapped players — lock Sana Lagrandeur and prop Marion Latonnelle — in his squad for the WXV Global Series fixture against the Wallaroos in Aix-en-Provence this weekend.

Lagrandeur’s call-up is a notable one: the FC Grenoble Amazones forward has never previously been selected at any age-grade level for France, making her senior debut the first time she has represented her country in any form. She enters a second row group already in transition, with Madoussou Fall Raclot absent from the squad while expecting her first child. Lagrandeur will compete with Julia Grosz, Siobhan Soqeta and Cloé Correa for a place in the matchday 23.

Latonnelle’s inclusion is more circumstantial. The 27-year-old Toulon prop was drafted in after Rose Bernadou departed the squad with a knee injury. Last season, Latonnelle played a key role as RC Toulon Provence Méditerranée secured their AXA Élite 1 status in their debut campaign at that level.

Injuries have reshaped the wider squad beyond those two changes. Aubane Rousset has also been ruled out through injury, while Chloé Jacquet, Kelly Arbey and Lili Dezou have all returned to the France Women’s Sevens set-up — all three having started in the previous match against the Black Ferns.

The changes leave Ratier with a significantly altered group from the one that faced New Zealand, and the Wallaroos fixture will offer both new caps an early opportunity to stake a claim in a France side navigating a period of squad transition.