France draft trio of sevens stars for WXV opener against ‘fantastic’ Black Ferns

François Ratier has called on the France Sevens squad ahead of his team’s WXV Global Series opener against the Black Ferns on Sunday.

Both Chloé Jacquet and Kelly Arbey have won Test caps before, while Lili Dezou will make her international debut at outside centre. She partners Teani Feleu in midfield.

Dezou, 22, plays her club rugby for Stade Toulousain and represented her country at their home Olympic Games in 2024.

Upon announcing his squad, Ratier confirmed that the trio would only play in France’s opening WXV Global Series fixture before returning to sevens camp.

In the second row, Julia Grosz has been named for her Test debut. The youngster comes into the team with Madoussou Fall Raclot away with pregnancy, Kiara Zago is injured and the team’s usual captain, Manae Feleu, pursuing her medical studies.

Grosz partners five-cap lock Siobhan Soqeta in the second row. Axelle Berthoumieu, Léa Champon and Charlotte Escudero form the back-row.

Pauline Bourdon Sansus, who is stand-in skipper with Feleu away, starts at scrum-half and partners Carla Arbez.

Gloucester Hartpury-bound centre Gabrielle Vernier is named among the replacements. The 29-year-old missed three rounds of the Women’s Six Nations with a shoulder injury sustained against Wales.

France take on a New Zealand team that can be buoyed by their efforts in 2026. Since Whitney Hansen arrived as head coach, the team are yet to lose and have prepared for this weekend’s clash with a 52-20 win against South Africa in Soweto.

François Ratier, France head coach, said: “New Zealand is a fantastic team. They were world champions almost every time, but they slipped a little after changing their style of play – and not for the better. Now, they’ve returned to a style that suits them better, featuring more power and, above all, more structure.

“They are striking a balance between the upright game, playing at height, and offloading in the tackle. They are back. Their ambitions are clear, so we know what to expect—and we’ve prepared accordingly. When they launch an attack, it is planned, creative, determined, and precise. That is the standard we need to aim for, too. We’re getting closer.”

2026 WXV Global Series | France match day 23 v New Zealand

15 Chloé Jacquet
14 Kelly Arbey
13 Lili Dezou
12 Teani Feleu
11 Léa Murie
10 Kelly Arbez
9 Pauline Bourdon-Sansus (c)
1 Ambre Mwayembe
2 Mathilde Lazarko
3 Assia Khalfaoui
4 Julia Grosz
5 Siobhan Soqeta
6 Axelle Berthoumieu
7 Léa Champon
8 Charlotte Escudero

Replacements

16 Elisa Riffonneau
17 Yllana Brosseau
18 Annaëlle Deshaye
19 Cloé Correa
20 Khoudedia Cissokho
21 Alexandra Chambon
22 Lina Queyroi
23 Gabrielle Vernier