France dealt major injury blow as Grisez ruled out of Six Nations

The French Rugby Federation have confirmed that Joanna Grisez has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] injury.

The 29-year-old, who has won 14 caps, was stretchered off the Stade des Alpes turf after a tackle from Italy’s Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi in the 47th minute of their 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations opener.

France ultimately won the contest 40-7 to start François Ratier’s tenure as head coach on a high. Grisez has been a mainstay in France’s 15-a-side setup since she returned from representing her nation in rugby sevens, which concluded at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Ahead of this weekend’s encounter with Wales at Cardiff Arms Park, Ratier has called Teani Feleu into his team.

The younger sister of France captain, Manae, Feleu was previously used as a back-row forward by former France co-head coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, but plays centre for her club side.

At 23, Feleu has won 16 caps for France and has scored one try so far this season for seventh-place Grenoble in AXA Elite 1 Féminine.