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Menager returns as France name starting line-up for Black Ferns

03 Nov 2022

South Africa's Lusanda Dumke (R) tackles France's Romane Menager during the New Zealand 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup Pool C match between South Africa and France at Eden Park in Auckland on October 8, 2022. (Photo by Michael Bradley / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images)

Number eight Romane Ménager returns to the France starting line-up for their semi-final with hosts New Zealand at Eden Park after sitting out the last two matches following a head knock in the 13-7 loss to England in the pool stages.

Nine of the starting line-up named for this semi-final started in France’s 29-7 victory over New Zealand in their last meeting in November 2021. Agathe Sochat, Annaëlle Deshaye, Céline Ferer, captain Gaëlle Hermet, Romane Ménager, Pauline Bourdon, Caroline Drouin, Gabrielle Vernier and Maëlle Filopon all started in Castres, while Clara Joyeux and Emilie Boulard came off the bench.

Ménager’s return at number eight sees Charlotte Escudero shift to openside flanker with Marjorie Mayans dropping to the bench.

The other personnel change on the bench see Célia Domain named as replacement hooker in place of Laure Touye with replacement Safi N’Diaye, France’s most-capped player, set to play her 90th test off the bench.

France are currently on a four-game winning streak against the Black Ferns dating back to November 2018, but this is the first time they will meet on New Zealand soil.

France have now reached the semi-finals in eight of the nine World Cups played, but are yet to reach the title decider.

France team to face Black Ferns:
1. Annaëlle Deshaye
2. Agathe Sochat
3. Clara Joyeux
4. Céline Ferer
5. Madoussou Fall
6. Gaëlle Hermet (captain)
7. Charlotte Escudero
8. Romane Ménager

9. Pauline Bourdon
10. Caroline Drouin
11. Marine Ménager
12. Gabrielle Vernier
13. Maëlle Filopon
14. Joanna Grisez
15. Emilie Boulard

16. Célia Domain
17. Coco Lindelauf
18. Assia Khalfaoui
19. Safi N’Diaye
20. Marjorie Mayans
21. Alexandra Chambon
22. Lina Queyroi
23. Chloé Jacquet

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Comments on RugbyPass

AA 11 minutes ago

'Are there 3 better fly-halves in Britain and Ireland... I don’t think so'

Are there 3 better fly half’s.

Well. Yes.

Ok ford has played very well the last 2 games and unbelieavably, actually scored a try.

Ok it was just a run in but at least for the first time in years he was actually up there with the attack. First one for 2 full seasons .

Smiths form Has dropped for now , ditto Russell , fin Smith quiet too, but don’t be fooled.

Ford only shows up when the forwards are bossing the game and he has time to show his skills. His line kicking is patchy though to say the least .

Brilliant every now and again but mostly just safety first.

The Aussies would without doubt target his poor defence and lack of bottle so give me any of the above plus Crowley the other guy .

So actually 6th .

2 Go to comments

freyadiegoa 17 minutes ago

Werner Kok returns to face former team as Ulster welcome back Ireland star

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henry willy 1 hour ago

Dragons issue statement on Dan Lydiate's future at the club

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SadersMan 1 hour ago

Glasgow hit back at Stephen Donald's 'absolutely unfounded' comments

Yeah. A bit OTT. He’s playing well within himself & enjoying life over there. And the $$$.

34 Go to comments

CP 1 hour ago

'Are there 3 better fly-halves in Britain and Ireland... I don’t think so'

You're second so atleast one 😜

2 Go to comments

SadersMan 1 hour ago

Highlanders vs Crusaders: Jordan is Cullen-esque, another Test bolter

Crowning a favourite five weeks out is madness. The Crusaders are still building. The only thing they’re favoured to do atm is to get better.

If Taha’s out, then imo Rivez should take the reins & JOC retain the bench role. Rivez’s effort at 10 was seamless, drama-free & professional. Kicks goals too. Well done.

Jordan has been great for weeks now, without scoring tries. Perhaps now all those amateur “selectors” will quit putting him back on the wing. He’s Razor’s 15. End of!

4 Go to comments

Andrew Nichols 1 hour ago

Highlanders vs Crusaders: Jordan is Cullen-esque, another Test bolter

Was at the game…Some individual brilliance from Jordan notwithstanding, it was a dull slow game between Saders B and a willing but limited Landers side. Saders did what was necessary abd no more. The following Canes and Brumbies game had far more skill and enterprise on display

4 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 1 hour ago

How 'misunderstood' Rassie Erasmus is rolling back the clock

Who IS the complainant here? JW, RW, MW or even all three! Either way, it still doesn’t warrant any review, far less change…

219 Go to comments

SadersMan 1 hour ago

Glasgow hit back at Stephen Donald's 'absolutely unfounded' comments

Nah, URC is low level.

And given immense population differences, 11,000 average crowds are shite mate. Quoting outlier event games doesn’t change that.

As for intensity, re-read my comment. I was refering to the two things that RETURNING PLAYERS commonly say about NH rugby. Hence my remark that no wonder Jordie looks well rested.

In terms of television ratings, it’s a false argument. Ratings & percentages are market based. We are not competing with URC.

As for talent, the NH is littered with Kiwis, Aussies, South Africans, Fijians, Samoans, Tongans, & Argentinians. Both coaches & players. Perhaps this is why the NH has trouble winning RWCs. Not enough quality “home-grown” talent.

34 Go to comments

SadersMan 1 hour ago

‘Got to make a move’: Blues skipper keeps it honest after latest defeat

Well, I didn’t say the Chiefs & Saders will contest the final. I was having a dig at Paddy lol.

As for tonight’s game, it was hard fought & we took care of business. As Havilli or Taylor said after-match, we’re not the finished product yet.

3 Go to comments

JB 2 hours ago

Mark Tele'a's departure sends unsettling message to NZRU over wantaway All Blacks

The difference between the young and old "said that if 29-30 years of age is old” is not only the experience they have, but also the capability to lead the team in any structure plan that might fail on the field.

The most fearless giants played in winning tests, over the world was 25 - 33 years of age.

The likes of NZL Wilson, the superstar Lomo, Dan Carter ,Danie Gerber, Chester Williams, André Joubert, Morné Steyn of the boks and many more, were legends and match winners by trade !

Everything now a days is to costly to invest in players beyond 25 years of age, the superstars should be there to lead by example on the field and pass there knowledge and experience on to the upcoming new born stars , not to invest in the teams age.