France player ratings v Black Ferns | WXV Global Series 2026

France suffered a 28-14 defeat to the Black Ferns in the opening fixture of their WXV Global Series campaign.

Led by Pauline Bourdon Sansus, the hosts struggled to live with New Zealand’s forward power, while the visiting line speed went a long way to shutting down an exciting backline.

Bourdon Sansus and Lina Queyroi crossed for tries that featured plenty of trademark French attacking guile, but ultimately scores from Justine McGregor, Mia Anderson, Mererangi Paul and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u proved too much for France to respond to.

Here is how the French players rated…

15 Chloé Jacquet – 5

Played her role in France’s first try with a nice carry and offload. Otherwise struggled, with handling skills letting her down on occasion and the odd hairy moment in the backfield.

14 Kelly Arbey – 7

Arguably France’s best defensive breakdown performer, despite the number on her back. Multiple jackal turnovers. Problems inside her meant Arbey did not get enough ball, but when she did, her strength and handling skills made her a proper threat.

13 Lili Dezou – 7

Another player who was happy to stick the head in the ruck to bail her side out with a breakdown turnover. She showed an ability to ride contact, despite receiving sloppy passes and taking a dominant hit. Her offloading set up France’s first score.

12 Téani Feleu – 6

Strong at times in contact but much like the rest of the backline, Feleu was regularly dealing with sub-optimal ball running. However, she did manage to do her bit by winning an early turnover that temporarily relieved pressure.

11 Léa Murie – 6

Murie made a sensational break for Bourdon Sansus’ try, which came at a vital moment as France managed to do just enough to keep in touch in that first half. Her pace and decision to take on the defender on the outside with a step was some combination to behold. Otherwise a quiet day, albeit her finish for a try that was ultimately chalked off deserved better.

10 Carla Arbez – 6

Tactical kicking was excellent throughout, with her trusty left boot bringing France out of their half when they did have defensive wins. She was given slow ball into the teeth of a Kiwi blitz far too often to be able to be effective in attack.

9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus – 6

A mixed bag. Bourdon Sansus started her performance with a tone-setting powerful shot in defence, while her kicking out of hand was exquisite at times. However, errors were not far away, as she made a handful of spills at the base of a ruck or the odd pass to the bootlaces of a teammate.

1 Ambre Mwayembe – 6

A quiet day for Mwayembe. She showed off a handful of skilful moments in attack, while playing her part in a scrum that got a shove on, albeit without much penalty reward. Otherwise part of a forward pack collective that was overpowered.

2 Mathilde Lazarko – 4

Had a brutally difficult day at the line-out. Underthrows. Overthrows. You name it. At one point, three consecutive line-outs went astray in the span of a few minutes. Her successor off the bench also struggled, which arguably suggests the issue is widespread, and not just with one individual.

3 Assia Khalfaoui – 7

Khalfaoui had a few moments of dominance in the scrum and was also responsible for two defensive turnovers – one via a rip in contact and the other a jackal. One of France’s stronger performers.

4 Julia Grosz – 5

The second row will have to analyse her role in a dysfunctional line-out. She was also involved in a defensive spacing mix-up with Khalfaoui that left a big gap for one of the Black Ferns’ first-half tries.

5 Siobhan Soqeta – 6

Did well to hold up what would have been a first half try that went a long way to killing the game off. Otherwise she was part of a struggling line-out and a wider pack effort that simply could not withstand the Kiwi power.

6 Axelle Berthoumieu – 5

Struggling to slow Kiwi ball, either with strong shots or on the floor, France needed more from their whole back row. Berthoumieu was responsible for one counter-ruck that briefly stemmed the tide, but it was her forward pass that saw Murie’s sensational finish ruled out.

7 Léa Champon – 6

Again, there were good defensive moments, but it wasn’t enough. Champon made a try-saving tackle that briefly delayed the inevitable prior to the game’s opening score. She also pulled off a line-out steal in a rare positive French moment at the set-piece.

8 Charlotte Escudero – 5

Huge defensive work rate, but again more was needed. France lacked carrying oomph, which could have come from the back of the scrum.

Replacements – 6

Lina Queyroi created a try in the second half out of nowhere with her chip that was gathered by a teammate. It was fitting that she created the chance and ultimately crossed with a brilliant finish. However, there wasn’t enough impact from the forward replacements to overcome the power deficit that saw the Black Ferns build their lead. The line-out still struggled despite changes with replacement hooker Elisa Riffonneau guilty of some crooked throws.