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Why is France still struggling to get past the Red Roses?
Women’s rugby in France has grown significantly in recent years. The number of licensed players keeps rising, and younger teams deliver strong performances internationally.
France’s U18 and U20 squads sweep the competitions and mark up wins over England in the renowned Le Crunch, yet the senior side struggles to make their mark at the top level. The question remains: how have the English managed to open such a gulf?
Since the U18 Six Nations launched in 2021, France has recorded a clean sweep – four crowns in four seasons, all with Grand Slam status. Many French youngsters have lit up the competition and earnt their places in the “team of the tournament”.
The story is similar with the U20s. While the Six Nations Festival took longer to get off the ground, friendly matches with neighbouring England have been taking place for around 15 years. These have by and large been dominated by France. Several generations have got the better of their rivals, sending a powerful signal for the future.
And yet, the senior team struggles to beat the Red Roses. Unbeaten for three years, the English dominate the world stage like no one else has ever done. Each Le Crunch match draws thousands to the stands and smashes TV records. Whereas, France supporters wait for a feat that has yet to happen.
England stands as the reference point in women’s rugby, distinguished by both its structural advantages and the calibre of their play. Looking more closely at the composition of their squad, generation by generation, there is remarkable continuity within the group.
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At the last Rugby World Cup, 21 of the 32 players selected had already been on the list for the previous World Cup, where they narrowly lost to New Zealand. Among the starting XV for the final against Canada this time round, seven players had also started the final three years earlier.
That stability reflects a particularly strong collective experience, which is the foundation of England’s current dominance. A video posted on social media highlighted this continuity, showing that the majority of the players had been part of the national team for several years, with few of them joining the team after 2023. This longevity at the highest level, combined with a structured and high-performing environment, largely explains the consistency and effectiveness of the Red Roses.
@englandrugby This squad 🔥 #RedRoses #RWC2025 ? original sound – England Rugby
The sevens pathway is something we must bring into the conversation. Team GB is still waiting for a first Olympic medal and a major title on the SVNS, yet the influence of this format on player development is unquestionable. A significant number of England’s leading XV players have come through sevens, including Ellie Kildunne, Jess Breach, Holly Aitchison, Zoe Harrison, Meg Jones, Marlie Packer and Alex Matthews. Time spent on the sevens circuit has given them essential technical skills and exposed them early to high-intensity international rugby.
Even if Team GB has not yet established themselves as a dominant force in women’s sevens, this pathway operates as a springboard towards excellence in the 15-a-side game. Players moving up from sevens enter the 15s game with a higher tempo, sharper execution, and a marked mental resilience – assets that are increasingly decisive in modern Test rugby.
In this context, sevens is more than a parallel discipline; it functions as a key channel for training and professionalisation. The recent success of the Red Roses owes much to this structure. At the Tokyo Games, five future world champions with England were included in the Team GB squad that finished fourth.
Despite the consistent success of France’s youth teams and the acclaimed quality of French training, the transition to the highest level does not seem to be as smooth as it is for some rival nations, notably England. Players trained in federal structures sometimes struggle to make the leap to the highest international level, due to a lack of clear pathways between the youth categories and the senior team.
One area for improvement would be to draw on the British approach. Early international experience, including through sevens, can serve as a genuine springboard to the 15s game. Exposure to high standards and challenging competition may hasten the maturation of developing players.
Another consideration is the establishment of a dedicated “development” squad, as practised in other leading countries. International tours, or mixed-age training camps, could help young talent make the gradual step up to senior level; much like the men’s summer tours that often reveal emerging profiles.
Technical matters aside, the psychological and cultural aspects are decisive. England has forged a distinctive culture centred on winning, supported by a strong sense of identity: being a Red Rose means refusing defeat.
Investing in mental preparation and a robust performance culture within the French development structure could reinforce current momentum, ensuring that the achievements of young generations can be sustained at the highest level.
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