Ratier makes five changes as France seek first WXV win against Wallaroos

France head coach François Ratier has made five changes to his starting XV for the WXV Global Series fixture against Australia in Aix-en-Provence, as Les Bleues look to bounce back from a 28-14 opening defeat to the Black Ferns in Lyon last Saturday.

Three of the alterations were forced by players returning to the France Sevens programme. Lili Dezou, Kelly Arbey and Cloé Jacquet make way for Gabrielle Vernier, Anaïs Grando and Émilie Boulard, with the latter earning her first Test start under Ratier. In the pack, Elisa Riffonneau is named at hooker ahead of Mathilde Lazarko, while Cloé Corréa replaces Siobhan Soqeta in the second row. Captain Pauline Bourdon Sansus retains her place at scrum-half.

Ratier acknowledged the physical challenge that Australia present, drawing a direct comparison with the defeat to New Zealand. “Australia are a very solid side,” he said. “All the Anglo-Saxon nations we face are physically very strong and play a very direct game. New Zealand combined those two traits, and the players certainly felt the physical toll. But Australia is even more physical.”

The head coach was candid about the defensive lapses that proved costly against the Black Ferns, but insisted the issues are correctable. “We cannot afford the two or three lapses in concentration we had on defence against New Zealand. That wasn’t down to the system itself; it was more a case of players momentarily losing focus at key moments. We’ve identified that.”

Ratier added that his squad would not be surprised by the Wallaroos’ direct approach. “We won’t be caught off guard in that regard,” he said, suggesting France have prepared specifically for Australia’s physicality.

France’s WXV Global Series campaign continues after this fixture, with Canada visiting La Rochelle to conclude the September schedule. Ratier’s side need a result against Australia to keep their tournament hopes alive.

France match day 23 squad v Australia

15 Émilie Boulard, 14 Anaïs Grando, 13 Gabrielle Vernier, 12 Téani Feleu, 11 Léa Murie, 10 Carla Arbez, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus (Captain), 1 Ambre Mwayembe, 2 Elisa Riffonneau, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 4 Julia Grosz, 5 Cloé Corréa, 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 7 Léa Champon, 8 Charlotte Escudero.

Replacements: 16 Maïlys Mailagi, 17 Yllana Brosseau, 18 Annaëlle Deshaye, 19 Siobhan Soqeta, 20 Mouna Toure, 21 Alexandra Chambon, 22 Lina Queyroi, 23 Elodie Fernandez.