After suffering a heavy 46-24 loss to Canada in their WXV opener last Sunday, the French women’s rugby team is set to face the United States in their second match on Saturday.
Coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz made just two changes to the starting XV from their initial line-up. One was coordinated in the forwards and the other in the backline.
“We wanted to maintain a strong core of our team and it is important to remain consistent. We made some adjustments to match the profile of the opponents and create a balance between players starting and finishing the game,” Mignot explained.
Up front, the front and second rows remain the same, with the main change being in the back row positions. Romane Ménager, usually an immovable number 8, moves wide to create space for Teani Feleu. This will be Peleu’s second start for the national team. She started in the final Six Nations tournament against Wales. According to Mignot, Feleu has “the physical profile to follow the U.S. team.”
Axelle Berthoumieu is moved to the bench as part of this shake-up, while Emeline Gros remains in the starting line-up after recovering from a concussion. At the back, halfbacks Pauline Bourdon and Lina Queyroi remain unchanged, with Cyrielle Banet replacing Melissande Llorens on the right wing.
French team playing against USA
- Ilana Brosseau
- Agathe Soshat
- Asian Kalpaui
- Manae Peleu (captain)
- Maduso Autumn
- Romanes Menage
- Emmeline Gross
- Teani Peleu
- Pauline Bourdon Sansos
- Lina K. Roy
- marine zoo
- Gabriel Bernier
- Nasira Conde
- Siriel Barnett
- chloe jacket
- Elisa Ripono
- Amber Mwayembe
- rose bernado
- Axel Berthumille
- Seraphine Okemba
- Oceane Bordes
- Lina Tui
- Emily Bullard
