Third week together, second week of competition. Scotland week begins—like all match weeks—with good vibes and that little rush of adrenaline that starts to build. Monday is fairly calm: video sessions, recovery, low intensity for now.
Then, quickly in the week, comes the team announcement. There’s always that little knot in your stomach walking into the room, that suspended moment. The names go up—I’m in. Huge sense of pride. Being picked again, especially when you’ve had tougher periods, is a real sign of trust. And above all, it’s a great chance to keep pushing forward and making your mark.
Tuesday is always a very intense, tightly packed day — it’s our peak workload of the week. This week is a bit unusual, since we’re heading to La Rochelle on Wednesday. We travel by train in the afternoon and arrive at the hotel early in the evening. That night, to unwind after the long trip, a few of the girls started a game of “Password”. A real moment of team bonding, with everyone coming together in a great mood.
Getting there on Wednesday is a bit out of the ordinary. The weather’s nice, the city’s lovely — it almost feels like a holiday… but no distractions. The team responded well and stayed focused, tuned in at the right times.
We quickly soaked up the local atmosphere. La Rochelle is real rugby country — everything was in place to have a great time.
Thursday morning, we trained in good mood at Apivia Parc. We crossed paths with the pro team getting ready for their trip to Clermont. In the gym, the record bell rings, the smiles keep coming, and the music’s playing — a proper work atmosphere, but relaxed.
In the afternoon, our final session is open to the public at Deflandre. It’s our first time seeing the stadium. The training is top quality, full of energy, boosted by the fans in the stands.
As a kicker, the conditions are perfect for me: two sessions on the pitch before the match — that’s a real luxury. I was able to get my bearings, one side on Thursday, the other during the Captain’s Run on Friday, with two slightly different weather conditions to adapt to.
Back at the hotel, we spotted a little cat wandering freely. It came and settled near us, letting itself be petted. Cute and calm, it added an unexpected touch of gentleness to a full-on day. Its presence relaxed everyone, brought out smiles, and gave us a quiet little moment in the whirlwind of the week.
Friday morning: Captain’s Run. Since we’d already been on the pitch the day before, it already felt a bit like home. The final run-throughs went smoothly.
In the afternoon, we had free time to rest and recover. Some of the girls managed to dodge the rain and grab a coffee down by the old port — a nice way to take the pressure off before game day.
In the evening, it was time for the jersey presentation, with (Brice) Dulin, (Matthias) Haddad, and some of the La Rochelle staff joining us. A simple yet powerful moment, in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Everyone shared their stories, their memories, their journeys.
Those conversations — full of humility and passion — really struck a chord. It was a chance to learn differently, to find inspiration, to draw strength from authentic experiences. A special moment that brought us even closer together, and a reminder that behind every jersey, there’s a story.
Match day. What can I say? How do you even describe an atmosphere like that? Only the players can truly feel and remember those indescribable emotions. Marcel-Deflandre Stadium — famous for having one of the best crowds in Europe — was absolutely electric.
More than 16,000 people singing La Marseillaise, pushing us forward on every single play. After every try, every penalty, thousands of voices shouting my name. Goosebumps. The kind of energy that carries you, from the first minute to the last.
At the final whistle, the lap of honour was unforgettable — the emotions still hanging in the air. It took us a good half-hour to thank everyone, sign autographs, and take pictures with the fans. And even with all that time and our best efforts, we still couldn’t meet every request.
To wrap up this intense block, we had an evening with our families — the perfect way to close this chapter.
The day after the match, I decided to stay in La Rochelle with my family and enjoy a simple, laid-back time. On Sunday morning, we strolled through the streets, wandered around.
Then, while walking through the market, a woman stopped me: “Are you Morgane Bourgeois? Congratulations, you’ve got an incredible boot.”
I was surprised, blessed — and a little shy too. A quiet, but deep sense of pride. A kind of recognition that carries a very special meaning.
🏟️🇫🇷 ???? ?????? ! ! 😍#FRAECO #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV@staderochelais #ChezMarcel pic.twitter.com/qtAYF3PMuX
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 29, 2025
Heading into the regeneration (fallow) week we enjoyed a well-deserved rest. Back to a quieter pace in the southwest of France to enjoy a lovely spring week. On the agenda: rest, quality time with loved ones, some studying for a few, and a bit of physical prep at the end of the week before gathering for the second block.
Ahead of facing Wales we returned to Marcoussis. Monday afternoon, we’re back — and everything picks up fast. No time to ease in: the first meetings begin as soon as we settle in. A quick debrief, areas to work on identified, and our eyes already on what’s coming. Time to refocus — on ourselves, our game plan, and the challenge ahead against Wales.
Tuesday was a big day. High intensity from the start, with a standout moment: a training match against the South African women’s team. A real opportunity. It’s not every day we get to face a side we know little about. It’s a bit like preparing for the unknown — we don’t know what’s coming, so we have to adapt and react quickly.
They’re a powerful team, with strong, physical profiles — very much like what we can expect from Wales. So it was an ideal test, both technically and physically.
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Off the pitch, it was also a great human experience. Music playing, smiles all around, warm and easy talks — there was a really special vibe at Marcoussis, fuelled by the diversity and mix of cultures.
The plan was to leave for Brive on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. But then — a hitch in the schedule: the train was delayed. And not just a little. We waited, not really knowing what to do. Checking updates, chatting, passing the time. In the end, the call was made: we rang the driver back — bus it is. And then, we hit the road.
The plan was to leave for Brive on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. But then — a hitch in the schedule: the train was delayed. And not just a little. In the end, the call was made: we rang the driver back — bus it is. And then, we hit the road.
The trip was long — over six hours — and we arrived late. Really late. Dinner was after midnight, in an atmosphere that felt more like the tail end of a night out: stinging eyes, easy laughter, slightly blurry energy.
We were all wiped, so we just laughed it off — a bit dazed, but together. These kinds of hiccups? We live them in club rugby every weekend. And in a way, it’s comforting. It brings us back to reality.
A proper reminder: we’re not immune to the unexpected. We’re not above the everyday chaos. And sometimes, it’s good to be reminded of that. It keeps us grounded — especially in an environment where everything is usually planned down to the last detail to help us perform at our best.
🔥 ???????? ????????? avant la rencontre de demain ! 💪
#XVdeFrance #FRAGAL pic.twitter.com/YIvymZ2Ewl— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) April 11, 2025
Friday, we finally lace up our boots in Brive for the Captain’s Run. First strides on the pitch, final adjustments, getting our bearings. The match is getting closer, and the focus steps up a notch.
That evening, it was time for the jersey presentation in Brive, once again in a symbolic and meaningful atmosphere. This time, it was an inspiring woman — Mme Rougerie — who had the honour of sharing her journey with us, and how she fought to live her passion.
Then it was my turn to receive my jersey. Except… there was a tiny mistake: a misspelling in the name. I’d become “Bourgois”, missing the “e”. Everyone laughed, the jokes started flying, and the mood was light. Honestly, I laughed too.
Because in the end, it’s not about the spelling — it’s about what that jersey stands for. Whether it says Bourgeois or Bourgois, the pride behind it stays the same.
Matchday. I open the shutters — it’s raining. With kick-off set for 1:45 p.m., the morning flies by. Braids were done the night before, bags packed for most of us — everyone’s just waiting, eager to head off. We arrive at the stadium at the same time as the Welsh team. We let them go ahead, then walk through a corridor of supporters on our way to the changing room.
The timing’s tight. As soon as we get in, everything starts moving fast. Being the kicker, I have very little time to change and begin my individual warm-up. The ball is wet, the conditions aren’t ideal, but the energy from the crowd lifts us — and reminds us exactly why we play, and why we train all year for moments like this.
🚍 ??? ?????? ???? ????????? ?? ????? !
Le Stadium Municipal de Brive les accueille pour un duel face au Pays de Galles ! 🔥💪#FRAGAL #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV | @RATPgroup @edenparkparis #frenchflair pic.twitter.com/v0bhTB1pDS
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) April 12, 2025
The match wasn’t easy — tough collisions, a stop-start rhythm. But in the end, we came away with the win. And with the bonus point. For our last game in France, we wanted to make the most of the crowd, soak up every bit of energy we could before two big away trips to close out the tournament.
The lap of honour was long — hundreds of autographs, countless photos. People asked me for my jersey, as they often do. But this time, that little spelling mistake that had made me laugh the day before actually encouraged me to give it away. It just felt right, and I did it with joy.
Thinking back on it, I realise that as a kid, I would’ve dreamed of getting a jersey from an international player too. And on Saturday, a lot of us gave ours away. A small gesture for us — but one that can bring so much happiness to the next generation.
😍 ?????? ??????? !
Merci aux supporters pour votre soutien ! 🫶
#NeFaisonsXV #XVdeFrance #FRAGAL pic.twitter.com/uG31ikMqSJ— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) April 12, 2025
Today, it’s our turn to inspire, to pass things on — and that makes me happy. Once all those great moments were over, it was off to the anti-doping test for me. Not quite as fun, but just as important. I waited in the locker room, drinking entire bottles of water.
And of course, I ended up being the last one in the changing room. Quick shower, get dressed in a flash, and I rushed off to join my teammates at the post-match reception. Not long after, the bus headed back to the hotel, where our loved ones were waiting to share a lovely evening with us… (to be continued)
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