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Marine Ménager to bring up half century as France take on Canada at WXV 1

232 days ago

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 04: Marine Menager of France runs the ball during the WXV1 match between France and Canada at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart on November 04, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

France coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz have made six changes to their side for Les Bleues’ WXV 1 opener against Canada on Sunday in which Marine Ménager will win her 50th cap.

Only one of those changes comes in the pack, where flanker Axelle Berthoumieu replaces Charlotte Escudero in the number six jersey.

Among the backs, Emilie Boulard and Cyrielle Banet are out so new co-captain Ménager has been shifted from the centre to the wing, with Mélissande Llorens taking the opposite side.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

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‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

With exactly one year to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 kicks off
in Sunderland, excitement is sweeping across the host nation in anticipation of what
will be the biggest and most accessible celebration of women’s rugby ever.

In the centre, Nassira Konde retains her spot and will be partnered by Gabrielle Vernier.

Meanwhile, the Chambon-Tuy half-back pairing, tested against England, has been replaced by the more experienced duo of Pauline Bourdon-Sansus and Lina Queyroi.

On the bench, apart from Rose Bernadou, the squad is relatively young, with an average age of 24.

But the replacements are expected to make an impact, with sevens star Séraphine Okemba, who has been called up to make her WXV debut as a back-row, a particularly exciting inclusion.

Fixture

WXV 1

Canada Women

46 - 24

Full-time

France Women

All Stats and Data

“She’s discovering the position,” Ortiz said. “The idea behind bringing Séraphine to the XV is to harness her determination and all of her physical, athletic, and mental qualities. The more time she spends with us, the more she plays, the more she’ll develop a natural feel for the XV game.

“We work hard. She’s very demanding when it comes to video analysis and her approach. We want her to maintain her authenticity. It’s about finding the right balance, and her progress will come with the playing time she gets.”

Mignot added: “The team’s strategy against Canada today is to go with a 6-2 formation, meaning six forwards and two backs.

“We know that Canada is a very strong and powerful team that will put up a tough fight, and our goal is to match that. We’re also fortunate to have a lot of versatility in our back line. While we may be a young group, we’re hardworking and highly motivated.”

France team to play Canada

15. Chloe Jacquet
14. Marine Ménager (co-captain)
13. Nassira Konde
12. Gaby Vernier
11. Melissande Llorens
10. Lina Queyroi
9. Pauline Bourdon-Sansus
1. Yllana Brosseau
2. Agathe Sochat
3. Assia Khalfaoui
4. Manaé Feleu (co-captain)
5. Madoussou Fall
6. Axelle Berthoumieu
7. Emeline Gros
8. Romane Ménager

Replacements:
16. Manon Bigot
17. Ambre Mwayembe
18. Rose Bernadou
19. Hina Ikahehegi
20. Teani Feleu
21. Séraphine Okemba
22. Alexandra Chambon
23. Lina Tuy

Comments

1 Comment

BC 232 days ago

This is one of the top matches in WXV and be between the, IMO, the second and third best team in the world. France has brought their more experienced players in since the Red Roses match

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍