Pauline Bordon Sansus named France captain as key lock misses WXV Global Series

France head coach François Ratier has installed Pauline Bourdon Sansus as captain for the WXV Global Series.

The 30-year-old scrum-half takes the armband over from Manae Feleu, who misses the next two months of action to focus on her medicine studies.

Pauline Bourdon Sansus said: “A great sense of pride. Being captain of the French team is something exceptional, and it wasn’t necessarily something I was expecting.

“But I’ve already held a leadership role in the team for a while, and Manae remains the captain; she’s the one who usually wears the armband. The two of us make a real team and complement each other well. It’s a bonus, but first and foremost I’m a rugby player, and my goal is to perform and help the team on the pitch.

“Yes, absolutely. We have five or six girls who share this leadership role, in addition to those identified by the coaching staff. On paper, I’m the one wearing the armband, but in reality, we exchange ideas and communicate a lot to help the girls on the pitch. It comes quite naturally and flows easily between us.”

Over the next two months, France will play four Test matches against the Black Ferns, and once against the Wallaroos and Canada.

Coming into six hugely challenging fixtures, Les Bleues are low in their second row reserves. Both Hina Ikahehegi and Marine Kazmierczak are both out with injury, while Masoussou Fall Raclot will spend an extended period out of rugby with pregnancy.

It is expected that Charlotte Escudero could be seen at lock forward. The 25-year-old, who is usually seen at No.8, recently took part in France’s front-five forward coaching camp in Capbreton, designed to create greater cohesiveness in the tight five.

Uncapped Blagnac second row Julia Grosz has been included in the squad too. Back-row forwards Khoudedia Cissokho and Isis Espuga have also been included in the squad. Former France Sevens star Valentine Lothoz has been included as a wing.

France 2026 WXV Global Series squad

Forwards
Mathilde Lazarko, Elisa Riffonneau, Amalia Bazola Allières, Rose Bernadou, Yllana Brosseau, Annaëlle Deshaye, Assia Khalfaoui, Maïlys Mailagi, Ambre Mwayembe, Cloé Correa, Charlotte Escudero, Julia Grosz, Lou Roboam, Siobhan Soqeta, Axelle Berthoumieu, Léa Champon, Khoudedia Cissokho, Isis Espuga, Elsa Peyras, Mouna Toure

Backs
Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Alexandra Chambon, Lylou Pedussaud, Carla Arbez, Elodie Fernandez, Lina Queyroi, Lili Dezou, Teani Feleu, Aubane Rousset, Gabrielle Vernier, Kelly Arbey, Emilie Boulard, Morgane Bourgeois, Alice Grandhomme, Anaïs Grando, Marie Ibanez, Chloé Jacquet, Valentine Lothoz, Léa Murie