France's Teani Feleu installed at centre for Ireland visit to Clermont

Teani Feleu has been put straight into the starting line-up to contend with France’s midfield misfortune at this Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

This weekend France take on Ireland at the Stade Marcel-Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand. So far in this Women’s Six Nations, France have registered wins over Italy and Wales, while Ireland are riding the high of their Round 2 victory against Italy in Galway.

Two games in head coach François Ratier has seen senior centres Joanna Grisez and Gaby Vernier ruled out of the tournament with injuries sustained against Italy and Ireland. After the injury of Grisez, Grenoble centre Feleu was recalled to the international set-up.

Previously used as a back-row by France under the guidance of co-head coached Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, Feleu has been named at inside centre where she will partner Stade Bordelais back Aubane Rousset.

“I am very happy to return to my preferred position in the national team,” Feleu told Six Nations Rugby. “Since the U20s, I’ve been systematically moved to the back row. Persistence has paid off! I’m happy to join the backs. I’m going to prove to the coaches they made the right choice.”

The front-row boasts the only other change to the France side. This sees loosehead prop Ambre Mwayembe trade places with Yllana Brosseau. Mwayembe started in France’s 40-7 win over Italy in Round 1.

Ratier has stuck with the majority of the squad that has seen France stake their claim as rivals to England’s Red Roses this Championship. This includes a place for three-try wing Anais Grando and the tournament’s top carrier, Pauline Barrat [40 carries].

France match day squad v Ireland

15. Pauline Barrat
14. Anais Grando
13. Aubane Rousset
12. Teani Feleu
11. Lea Murie
10. Carla Arbez
9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus
1. Ambre Mwayembe
2. Mathilde Lazarko
3. Assia Khalfaoui
4. Kiara Zago
5. Madoussou Fall Raclot
6. Axelle Berthoumieu
7. Manae Feleu (C)
8. Lea Champon

Replacements

16. Elisa Riffonneau
17. Yllana Brosseau
18. Rose Bernadou
19. Cloe Correa
20. Siobhan Soqeta
21. Charlotte Escudero
22. Alexandra Chambon
23. Lina Queyroi