'Revamped' France ready for WXV Global Series tour of New Zealand

It was just one win. But it meant something more.

France head to the southern hemisphere leg of their WXV Global Series campaign with something of a collective spring in their steps after their 21-5 victory over Canada at La Rochelle in September.

It was just one win, but it was a win over last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup finalists, and it was Les Bleues’ first against a top three side since October 2023, when they beat New Zealand 18-17.

They will head into their next WXV Global Series Tests with a 2-1 record from their opening three outings, after their extraordinary comeback victory over Australia in Provence the week before.

The players’ reaction after Alexandra Chambon booted the ball into touch to end the match was a clear and physical demonstration of what that ‘just one win’ meant to them.

“We hope this is the beginning of a beautiful story,” Pauline Bourdon Sansus told journalists shortly after the final whistle at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

“It’s been a long time since we beat a top three country. We can only be proud to have beaten the World Cup runners-up.”
But there was no over-reaction in the squad – far from it. Bourdon Sansus even followed up that statement with an early warning.

“As I told the girls in the huddle, it was a great performance, but we always have to stay at the top of our game.

“We often struggle with inconsistency. We slip up after a good performance. I hope this [result] bodes well, but we have no reason to rest on our laurels because we all want to win titles, and we all want to work harder to catch up with the countries ahead of us.”

The new French philosophy was highlighted when she switched focus from that victory to the future and the WXV’s southern hemisphere leg even as the celebrations were continuing in the dressing room.

France has their eye on a bigger prize than breaking a losing run.

“We have the tour in New Zealand, and then we’ll head back to our clubs and work even harder,” she said.

“There are plenty of areas we still need to improve, especially our work on the floor.

“We’re still a long way behind the nations ahead of us, so it’s up to us to catch up.”

She added, “Since the Six Nations, we’re less focused on spectacular performances – we’re building something. We’re on the right track. We’re working hard, we’re working well, and I think we’re improving with every match, so it’s encouraging.”

France head coach Francois Ratier issued a timely reminder that the 2026 WXV Global Series is an early stage in the development of Les Bleues for the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.

“The home games against Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are important milestones. We’re also seeing progress over three or four weeks.

“It’s a game plan that’s taking shape, and the girls are starting to make it their own. We’re evolving together, growing together, and now we’re starting to see the results.

“We’re going to New Zealand with the ambition to perform and win matches. The team will be slightly revamped and rejuvenated, but the goal remains to continue progressing and achieving results.”

Scrum-half Bourdon Sansus hasn’t travelled to New Zealand with the squad for their upcoming three matches in the WXV Global Series, as she has opted to stay in France for family reasons, but she remains available as injury cover if needed.

She isn’t the only absentee on the tour.

Second row Madoussou Fall Raclot is pregnant, France’s usual captain Manae Feleu is studying for medical exams and lock Siobhan Soqeta, prop Yllana Brosseau, and backrow Charlotte Escudero all joined Les Bleues’ injury lists during the matches in Lyon, Aix and La Rochelle.

Full-back Pauline Barrat and Joanne Grisez are also among the long-term absences.

Another second row and another prop, Cloé Correa and Ambre Mwayembe, are not part of the initial squad as suspensions from that extraordinary win over Australia in Provence rule them out of the opening test.

But France have already shown greater strength in depth than many previously thought.

Full-back Emilie Boulard has scored three tries in two matches on her return to the squad, and was the key difference in defence and attack between France and Canada last time out.

And Teani Feleu has thrived in her preferred midfield position to such an extent that Ratier suggested she could “play in any top three team”.

“When you want to be world champion, you look at who on your team would be a starter elsewhere. She would be. She still needs to work hard… but she holds the middle of the field, in attack and in defence.”

Romagnat nine and Bourdon Sansus’ regular international understudy Chambon – whose late score in La Rochelle ended any possibility of an unlikely Canada fightback – will be captain in New Zealand.

“These matches are fully in line with our project,” Ratier said when the squad for New Zealand was announced.

“They will allow us to continue the work already underway with the group, while also offering young players the opportunity to test themselves against the best at the international level.

“It’s an important step in continuing to build and expand our squad.”

It was just one win. But what a difference a win makes. More importantly, perhaps, what a difference France’s mindset right now seems to be making.