Ratier sees progress but admits injuries are mounting after France's third straight Black Ferns defeat

France head coach François Ratier found cause for cautious optimism after his side’s 31-12 defeat to the Black Ferns, yet the result still represents a third consecutive loss to New Zealand in WXV Global Series action this autumn — and leaves the world’s fourth-ranked women’s team with little margin for error before next weekend’s rematch at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.

The defeat was a marked improvement on the 81-12 hammering France suffered in Hamilton a week earlier, and Ratier was quick to acknowledge the difference. “Improved — that’s the word,” he said. “We were more composed, we were able to go forward and put some things together, so that’s obviously an improvement.”

Travelling without several high-profile players, France have leaned heavily on teenage debutants throughout the tour of New Zealand. Ratier framed that as a deliberate process rather than a crisis. “We’re a very young team. We want to use this, especially here in New Zealand, to put some new blood into the team and see how we behave and how we play under this massive pressure. Today, the young players responded really well.”

Injuries, however, are threatening to define his first year in charge. France finished the match with 14 players on the field after another player went down late on, and Ratier was candid about the physical toll of competing against a side operating in a heavier physical bracket. “We need to recover because we’ve got a lot of injuries. That’s the problem when you box against a category that’s bigger than you.”

The head coach identified clinical finishing as the area most in need of improvement before the sides meet again. “We need to finish our opportunities and make sure we score when those opportunities come — so we can keep the game really close,” he said. “What’s interesting is how we performed up until the 70th minute. That’s what we’re going to work on.”

Ratier conceded that the final scoreline was slightly flattering to New Zealand, with two late tries arriving after France were reduced to 14 men. Whether a depleted squad can close the gap further in Christchurch remains the central question as his first season in the top job draws to a close.