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France make three changes for Bronze Final encounter with Black Ferns
By Joe Harvey
There have been three changes made to France’s starting XV ahead of their 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Bronze Final match against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium.
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Following their 35–17 loss to England in the semi-finals, co-head coaches Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz have only made minor amendments to their side as they aim to finish third at the World Cup for the third tournament in a row.
One change comes in the pack as 20-year-old lock forward Taina Maka is promoted from the bench to partner Madoussou Fall Raclot in the second row. She trades played with Hina Ikaehehegi.
A week on from her 52nd minute try against the Red Roses, Kelly Arbey is among the replacements again as Joanna Grisez retakes her place on the right wing.
The 28-year-old was a late withdrawal a week ago after she failed to shake off a thigh injury that she sustained against Ireland in her team’s 18-13 quarter-final win.
Emilie Boulard has been installed at full-back for her third start of the tournament. Rarely utilised in the knockout rounds to date, the 26-year-old has scored four World Cup tries so far this term with braces against South Africa and Brazil.
Marine Menager again captains her country from the left wing and Nassira Konde maintains her starting spot after she crossed the whitewash twice against the English.
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Along with Ikahehegi and Arbey’s demotion to the bench, both Manon Bigot and Marie Morland have been named to add impact when called upon.
Last week’s loss to England will have bruised French egos. In Bristol, Les Bleues dominated possession, carried the ball twice as much, made over 300 more metres and made half as many tackles as their opponents.
At the break the scoreline read only 7-5 before mounting penalties, four losses from their own lineout and 17 turnovers handed the game to England in front of a clamouring sold out crowd.
There is an element of ‘what if’ for France. With both their captain, Manae Feleu, and Axelle Berthoumieu banned for the remainder of the tournament – the former for a high tackle and the latter for a bite on Ireland’s Aoife Wafer – a stronger side could well have toppled the top-ranked side in the world.
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Instead they face a battle with a disheartened New Zealand. Experiencing just their second ever Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat, Allan Bunting’s side will be out for revenge on Saturday lunchtime.
The Kiwis will be buoyed by the return of World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, Jorja Miller, who missed her team’s 34-19 semi-final loss to Canada with injury.
It may be the curtain raiser to the afternoon’s final, but there are storylines wherever you look in this third-place decider. And both teams have the motivation.
France Line-Up vs New Zealand
4 Taina Maka
5 Madoussou Fall Raclot
10 Carla Arbez
11 Marine Menager (C)
13 Nassira Konde
14 Joanna Grisez
15 Emilie Boulard
Replacements
16 Manon Bigot
19 Hina Ikahehegi
20 Marie Morland
22 Lina Tuy
23 Kelly Arbey
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