The Black Ferns ended their 2024 WXV 1 campaign with a seven-try win over France to leave Vancouver with a 39-14 victory at BC Place.
For the final WXV match against the Black Ferns, French women's team coaches have handed Séraphine Okemba her first start.
Head coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz have made just two changes to the starting XV from the initial lineup, with one adjustment in the forwards and one in the backline.
Coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz have made six changes for Les Bleues’ WXV 1 opener against hosts Canada on Sunday.
England got their WXV 1 preparation underway with a 38-19 win, their 14th successive victory against France in front of 7,590 fans at Kingsholm.
France fly-half Lina Tuy will make her first Test start in Gloucester on Saturday as part of a new-look half-back partnership for the match against England.
Gabrielle Vernier has faced England nine times in her career. And never, never has the French women’s centre beaten the Red Roses. The closest they have come is 20 points, a 10-33 home defeat on 14 November 2020 in Grenoble. Twice the margin has been just two points: 17-15 at Exeter on 16 November 2019 and by the exact same score at Villeneuve-d’Ascq on 30 April 2021.
The Wallaroos are looking to upset giant-killers France, who downed world champions New Zealand 18-17 on their home turf in round one last week.
The world champion Black Ferns had not faced France since a tight semi-final at the Rugby World Cup last year.
The six teams have been named ahead of the first round of WXV 1 in Wellington. All matches will be played at Sky Stadium, kicking off with England vs Australia on Friday 20th October. On Saturday 21st October Canada will face Wales before home side New Zealand take on France in a RWC2021 semi-final rematch.
