After a rescheduled match with Bordeaux, the seven of us from the Gironde squad arrived at INSEP (the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance) on the evening of Sunday, March 9. The rest of the group joined us the following day, trickling in, picking up their room keys, and getting settled before gathering for the opening meeting.
That first meeting sets the scene, lays out the goals, and officially kicks off the tournament. Shared glances, smiles, and the joy of being back together—reunion vibes all around.
Our identity: all about defence
We quickly settle back into training and start rebuilding connections—on the field and off. The focus is clear: defence. Daily tackling sessions, a return to our identity, and above all, rekindling that fire to defend hard. The sessions are intense, full of focus and precision. The goal couldn’t be clearer: build a rock-solid defence. That’s the key to structuring a game, a campaign… and above all, preparing for the Irish.
INSEP isn’t exactly designed for team bonding. The rooms, the common areas, the training fields—everything’s scattered and takes some serious organisation. But despite the setup, the group sticks together and trains with real discipline. Being in a place like INSEP is also a real source of motivation. In the dining hall, you might bump into sporting icons like Joan-Benjamin Gaba—who lit up the last Olympics—or Benoît Saint-Denis. And in those moments, we’re just fans again, soaking it all in. Watching them, seeing how they evolve, how professional they are… it’s both humbling and seriously inspiring.
Friday: Off to Marcoussis
After five solid days of focused work, Friday marks our move from INSEP to Marcoussis. The men’s team has cleared out—it’s our turn to settle into the Rugby Centre. We slide right back into our routines: everyone finds their room again, whether it’s lakeside or near the canteen, and the ping-pong battles are back on. It really does feel like a second home.
I move into Room 27 with Elisa [Riffoneau], my roommate for the past three years. I take the bed in the back, she’s on the tidy side—not me—and the room slowly starts looking exactly like it did in years past.
Saturday: Goosebumps at the Stade de France
After a quiet afternoon of rest, we head to the Stade de France to cheer on the men’s team against Scotland. The atmosphere is electric—goosebumps all around. That kind of energy is inspiring. How can you not dream of experiencing the same thing someday?
In the back of our minds, the idea starts to take shape: winning too, and maybe pulling off a historic treble. But this is our journey, our own story to write. The tournament is long, the other teams are growing stronger, and we’re well aware of England’s dominance in recent years.
Match week preparation begins
Time for another week of hard work. Everything is measured to the minute: every run, every meal, every snack, every gym rep. Everyone around us is fully invested, doing everything they can to put us in the best possible position to perform. Compared to club life, the contrast is huge. We’re used to training in the evenings, with physios maybe once or twice a week. Here, we have top-level staff, constant support, and a level of detail that changes everything. Every little thing counts.
That evening, the team sheet drops. It’s always an emotional moment—some smiles, some heartbreak—but it’s a crucial part of building our group. After nearly a year away, I see my name listed at fullback. It feels a bit surreal, and I can’t wait to call my parents and tell them the news.
As the team announcement finishes, the room hums with shared looks and a wave of mixed emotions. Agathe [Sochat] catches my eye and, with her usual cheeky grin, leans in and says: “Don’t cry.” A tap on the shoulder. I don’t cry—but yeah, the emotion’s definitely there.
I’ve been on the other side plenty of times—as a “Helper.” It’s the toughest, most thankless role… but also one of the most important. You give everything for the team without the reward of game time. It’s not easy, but it matters.
So, more than a year after my last start, pulling on the blue jersey again means everything. After the 2024 Six Nations and missing out on WXV, I made myself a promise: to work harder, to come back stronger. I stuck to it. And here I am.
The next day, things ramp up. Everyone knows their role. The mission is clear: give everything for the team, and bring your best to the collective.
Kick off getting closer
The jersey presentation is always one of the emotional highs of the week. This time, Jérôme Daret came to share his incredible journey with France 7, from the grind to Olympic gold. A humble, powerful story that had us all hanging on his words. You could see the admiration written on every face. Receiving your jersey after hearing something that inspiring just adds to the pride—it makes you want to give even more for the jersey, for the rooster.
Things start to feel real. Some girls stay back in Marcoussis to keep training. While we’ll be out there representing France on the pitch, those who helped push us all week will be sweating it out too, matching the effort in their own way. They’re part of this just as much as we are.
On the way to the airport, Agathe’s daughter joins us—little Nina. It’s hard to explain, but her presence changes everything. There’s something calming about her, a lightness that settles in naturally. Her laughter, her energy, her carefree vibe—it brings a kind of joy we didn’t know we needed. In a high-pressure environment where focus and discipline rule, those small, soft moments are precious. They remind us what it’s all about: sharing, being together, and soaking up every second.
Once we land in Ireland, it’s time for the Captain’s Run. We explore the stadium, check out the locker rooms, take it all in. On the rugby side, it’s a bit messy—probably just nerves. As a kicker, this part is key for me. I get my bearings, pick out my visual targets in the stadium, feel out the wind, strike the ball again and again to lock in the rhythm. Reps and more reps, until the motion feels like second nature.
Game day: France vs Ireland
We’re ready. With kick-off set for 1 p.m., it’s an early wake-up. At 9 sharp, we’re all at the table, staring at our plates of pasta, rice, and chicken. Not exactly your dream breakfast. The pre-match meal is never a highlight—most of us kind of dread it, to be honest.
Once I’ve swallowed the last bite, I head back to my room and jump in the shower. Aliocha Schneider, Nino Ferrer, Cœur de Pirate, Bruno Mars—our playlist hums in the background, setting a good mood. I pull on my gear, do a final check of my bag, and then it’s off to the stadium.
Our arrival is quiet. No fuss. Then things start moving fast. I find my spot between Marine [Ménager] and Manon (Bigot), slip into my shorts, cut my socks just right, and head straight out to the pitch. Carla [Arbez] and I run through some kicking drills before I grab my tee and work through my motion again. Lock it in. The team warm-up is clean, sharp, full of intent. We’re dialed in.
The match kicks off. You know the story. A well-controlled first half. In the locker room at the break, the message is clear: score early in the second half, put points on the board before they get a chance to breathe. But… that’s not exactly how it plays out. Ireland come out firing, and we take a yellow card that shifts the momentum.
We weather the storm, grit our teeth through a tough spell, but stay calm and locked on the bigger picture. Then comes the impact from the bench—massive for us. After half an hour of Irish pressure, we finally break into their 40. That’s my cue. I go for the posts to give the team a breather and reward the group for all the defensive work they’ve put in.
A few minutes later, Émilie [Boulard] crashes over for the try that seals the deal and lights up the squad with smiles all around. A moment that says everything about the fight and resilience of this team.
Game over—mission accomplished. What a relief to come away with the win after such a tense match. As Pauline [Bourdon-Sansus] said: “At the WXV, we would’ve lost that one.” That says it all. It shows that this group has turned a corner, with fresh intent, a real desire to bounce back, and to show a whole new face.
A few families and loyal fans made the trip, all smiles, proudly wearing our colors. I find my dad—he came a long way to support me. We talk about the game, break it down together, I ask questions, we debrief. Then it’s a couple of interviews, a quick shower, and off to the traditional post-match reception before heading back to the hotel. Departure is set for the next morning.
Sunday is all about travel, recovery, treatment, and video analysis. We talk about the performance, how we felt out there, what we can improve—among ourselves and with the coaches. Defensively, it was a solid game, but we didn’t create many chances with ball in hand. That explains the bit of frustration you could sense from some players.
In the end, the day flies by—it’s pretty full-on. Then Monday rolls around, and it’s the start of a brand-new week of prep.
Week three together. Second match coming up. Now the tournament really kicks into gear.
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Interesting comment from Pauline Bourdon that France would have lost that match at WXV1. Does that mean that France have recovered their mojo and are once again potential worldbeaters?
Morganne Bourgeois was not at WXV1. Maybe her kiking game should have been usefull there…
I think it's too soon to answer to your question. Since 2022 and the arrival of this staff, France have lost their way of playing ,the team regress every year and some picks are very strange. Séraphine Okemba was one of the 4/5 best and fastest players of seven , in this team she play 7 and makes lineouts and scrums. I am not sure she touch the ball in play saturday…