France forced to find new captain for New Zealand tour

France captain Pauline Bourdon Sansus will not travel to New Zealand for her team’s WXV Global Series fixtures against the Black Ferns.

In agreement with the coaching staff led by François Ratier, the scrum-half will remain in France for family reasons. She remains available to join the squad if required. A new captain will be announced on Wednesday 7 October.

Bourdon Sansus’ absence means France will turn to a new captain for their tour of New Zealand. With regular skipper Manae Feleu unavailable this autumn as she prioritises her medical studies, Ratier will have to select his latest leader carefully.

France will also be without the experienced trio of Yllana Brosseau, Siobhan Soqeta and Charlotte Escudero due to injury.

So far in the WXV Global Series, France have lost to the Black Ferns but recorded wins against the Wallaroos and Canada. Their latest victory, against the North American side, was their most complete performance of the autumn.

They will face a New Zealand side that have recorded two wins in Europe, beating France before overcoming Scotland in Edinburgh. Last Saturday, however, the Black Ferns suffered a narrow defeat to the Red Roses, conceding with the final play of the game at Allianz Stadium.

“We are heading to New Zealand with the ambition of performing well and winning matches,” Ratier said. “The squad will be somewhat reshuffled and younger, but the ambitions remain the same. The goal is to keep improving and achieving results.

“These matches in New Zealand align perfectly with the continuity of our project. They will allow us to build on the work already underway with the squad, while giving young players the chance to test themselves against the best in the international game. It is an important step in continuing to build and expand our group.”

France squad to tour New Zealand | WXV Global Series 2026

Forwards
Ylona Avril (Stade Toulousain / FC Villefranche de Lauragais)
Amalia Bazola Allieres (Stade Toulousain / FC Villefranche de Lauragais)
Axelle Berthoumieu (Stade Bordelais / Espalion Nord Aveyron)
Léa Champon (FC Grenoble Amazones / US Vinay)
Khoudedia Cissokho (Stade Bordelais / AAS Sarcelles)
Cloé Correa (Stade Toulousain / SC Albi)
Annaëlle Deshaye (Stade Bordelais / Rugby Club Yvetot)
Julia Grosz (Blagnac RF / AS Castelmoron XV)
Assia Khalfaoui (Stade Bordelais / COP XV Pont-du-Casse)
Marion Latonnelle (RC Toulon PM / RC Plabennec)
Mathilde Lazarko (ASM Romagnat / ASM Romagnat)
Maïlys Mailagi (Stade Bordelais / RC Toulon)
Marie Morland (Montpellier HR / Rugby Club Tangonnais)
Ambre Mwayembe (Stade Toulousain / US Vizille)
Elsa Peyras (Stade Bordelais / SO Maubourguetois Rugby)
Elisa Riffonneau (FC Grenoble Amazones / US Joué)
Lou Roboam (Stade Toulousain / FC Villefranche de Lauragais)
Mouna Toure (ASM Romagnat / USAP XV Féminin)

Backs
Carla Arbez (Stade Bordelais / Oléron RC)
Émilie Boulard (AC Bobigny 93 Rugby / Rugby Club Chilly-Mazarin)
Morgane Bourgeois (Stade Bordelais / Rugby Club Parempuyre)
Alexandra Chambon (ASM Romagnat / US Montmélian)
Téani Feleu (FC Grenoble Amazones / Afili Futuna Rugby)
Élodie Fernandez (Stade Toulousain / US Quillan Limoux Haute Vallée de l’Aude)
Charlie Gauyat (Stade Toulousain / Bidart Union Club)
Anaïs Grando (ASM Romagnat / US Millas)
Marie Ibañez (Stade Bordelais / Capbreton Hossegor Rugby)
Léa Murie (Stade Toulousain / US Dax Rugby)
Lylou Pedussaud (Stade Toulousain / US Colomiers)
Lina Queyroi (Stade Toulousain / Union Rugby Club Auvezère)
Aubane Rousset (Stade Bordelais / RUS Hayange)
Gabrielle Vernier (Gloucester Hartpury / Rueil AC)