Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France – The France Women’s XV rugby team is set to open their Women XV Global Series campaign today, Saturday, September 12, 2026, with a highly anticipated clash against the formidable New Zealand Black Ferns. The match, held in Lyon, marks the beginning of an intensive series of high-level encounters designed to prepare the French squad for the 2029 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Intensive Schedule Ahead: Twelve High-Level Matches
The autumn schedule for the French women’s team is packed, featuring six matches in total, including four against the New Zealanders. This series is part of the Women XV Global Series, which brings together the top twelve rugby nations globally in preparation for the upcoming World Cup. This initial encounter in Lyon serves as a crucial test for the French side, who last faced the Black Ferns in the 2025 World Cup third-place play-off in England, a match they lost 42-26 at Twickenham.
Since that defeat, significant changes have occurred within the French women’s rugby setup, most notably the appointment of a new coach, François Ratier. Ratier, who previously led the Canadian team to the 2014 World Cup final, aims to refine the team’s strategy and performance. While the 2026 Six Nations Tournament saw France finish second again, with another defeat to world champions England (43-28), the team’s playing style has shown notable improvement. The upcoming six matches, including three in New Zealand in October, will be vital for assessing and developing the French squad.
Coach Ratier Emphasizes Performance Over Specific Targets
Coach Ratier expressed optimism about the extensive preparation, stating, “Between the Tournament and these Global Series, that will give us thirty high-level preparation matches before the World Cup, which is significant.” However, he refrained from setting specific numerical objectives for these matches, which will not result in any rankings or trophies.
“Obviously, we want to perform,” insisted François Ratier. “And if we perform at our best, victory will follow. But we have also set ourselves boxes to tick, whether in attack or defense. That is very, very, very important. But very honestly, if we do what we said we would do and we do it as best as possible, there will be a match.”
Key Players and Debutants for the French Squad
For this opening encounter against the Black Ferns, the French team will feature three sevens players: Chloé Jacquet at fullback, Kelly Arbey on the wing, and Lili Dezou making her debut in the blue jersey at center. This match provides a significant opportunity for these players to make their mark before rejoining the France Sevens team, with qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics as their next goal.
Coach Ratier highlighted the importance of integrating these players into the XVs team for the World Cup, which will take place after the Olympics. He hopes to be able to count on “sevens players once a year” to broaden the pool of candidates for Australia to “about fifty players.”
Leadership and Absences
In the absence of regular captain Manae Feleu, who will miss these Global Series due to her medical studies, the team will be led by Toulouse scrum-half Pauline Bourdon-Sansus. The 30-year-old brings a wealth of experience with 76 caps to her name. Another significant absence is second-row Madoussou Fall-Raclot (28 years old, 50 caps), who is expecting a child. She will be replaced by Blagnac’s Julia Grosz, 24, who will be making her national team debut.
Following today’s match against New Zealand at Gerland, and before their return fixtures in New Zealand in October, France will face Australia on September 19 in Aix-en-Provence, followed by Canada on September 26 in La Rochelle.
Match Details and Lineup
The match is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at 5:35 PM local time, and will be broadcast on France 2.
France Starting XV: Jacquet – Arbey, Dezou, T. Feleu, Murie – (o) Arbez, (m) Bourdon Sansus (cap.) – Champon, Escudero, Berthoumieu – Soqeta, Grosz – Khalfaoui, Lazarko, Mwayembe.
Replacements: Riffonneau, Brosseau, Deshaye, Correa, Cissokho, Chambon, Queyroi, Vernier.
Source: https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/sports/rugby-le-xv-de-france-feminin-affronte-la-nouvelle-zelande-a-lyon-pour-ouvrir-les-women-xv-global-series-1789135466
