Four new caps in France side to take on Black Ferns in Hamilton
Four players are set to make their Test debuts and halfback Alexandra Chambon will captain France for the first time, with regular leaders Manae Feleu and Pauline Bourdon Sansus both unavailable.
Lock Ylona Avril earns her first cap in the starting XV, while Toulon’s Marion Latonnelle and Toulouse teenagers Lylou Pedussaud and Charlie Gauyat could debut off the bench. Experienced pair Gabrielle Vernier and Carla Arbez miss out.
France, ranked fourth in the world, arrive in New Zealand on the back of a 21-5 win over Canada.
Head coach François Ratier said his side averages just 24 years of age, and that now is the right time to give new players a taste of Test rugby. He added that France can win in New Zealand, and that not being favourites should free his players up.
The Black Ferns beat France in Lyon in September and will be looking to start their three-Test home series with a win in front of a home crowd. (Link: Black Ferns team naming)
WATCH: Co-captain Georgia Ponsonby and Midfielder Grace Brooker look ahead to the French clash
France matchday 23
15 Morgane Bourgeois, 14 Marie Ibañez, 13 Aubane Rousset, 12 Teani Feleu, 11 Léa Murie, 10 Elodie Fernandez, 9 Alexandra Chambon (c), 1 Annaëlle Deshaye, 2 Élisa Riffonneau, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 4 Julia Grosz, 5 Ylona Avril*, 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 7 Mouna Toure, 8 Léa Champon
Replacements: 16 Mathilde Lazarko, 17 Amalia Bazola Allieres, 18 Marion Latonnelle*, 19 Lou Roboam, 20 Elsa Peyras, 21 Lylou Pedussaud*, 22 Lina Queyroi, 23 Charlie Gauyat*
*Test debut
