France name four debutants as Chambon captains for Black Ferns test in Hamilton

France head coach François Ratier has named four uncapped players in his matchday 23 for the WXV Global Series fixture against New Zealand in Hamilton, with scrum-half Alexandra Chambon captaining Les Bleues for the first time in the absence of Manae Feleu and Pauline Bourdon Sansus.

Lock Ylona Avril earns her first cap in the starting XV, partnering three-cap Julia Grosz in the second row. Toulon prop Marion Latonnelle and Toulouse teenagers Lylou Pedussaud and Charlie Gauyat are set for their international debuts from the replacements bench.

France arrive in New Zealand on the back of a 21-5 victory over Canada to close out their WXV Global Series campaign, and are currently ranked fourth in the world. Experienced trio Gabrielle Vernier, Carla Arbez and Amber Mwayembe have been left out of the squad entirely.

Ratier was candid about his selection philosophy, pointing to the timing within France’s development cycle as the driving factor. “We have a young team — an average age of 24 — with very few caps,” he said. “Within the context of our current cycle, this is the right time to introduce new players. We need to see these younger additions in action immediately.”

With the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, Ratier suggested the underdog status against the Black Ferns could work in his side’s favour. “We may not be the favourites, but that should actually help the players feel freer — allowing them to play with significantly less pressure than if we were a squad with an average of 60 caps per player, just three months out from the World Cup.”

France matchday 23 v New Zealand — WXV Global Series 2026

1. Morgane Bourgeois, 14. Marie Ibañez, 13. Aubane Rousset, 12. Teani Feleu, 11. Léa Murie, 10. Elodie Fernandez, 9. Alexandra Chambon (c), 1. Annaëlle Deshaye, 2. Élisa Riffonneau, 3. Assia Khalfaoui, 4. Julia Grosz, 5. Ylona Avril, 6. Axelle Berthoumieu, 7. Mouna Toure, 8. Léa Champon.

Replacements: 16. Mathilde Lazarko, 17. Amalia Bazola Allieres, 18. Marion Latonnelle, 19. Lou Roboam, 20. Elsa Peyras, 21. Lylou Pedussaud, 22. Lina Queyroi, 23. Charlie Gauyat.