France Women’s Rugby Team: Key Players & Black Ferns Rivalry

France have cemented themselves as one of the Black Ferns’ toughest rivals in women’s international rugby. They are a formidable side with a powerful forward pack combined with classy inside backs and speed to burn out wide. With a natural instinct for counter-attack they are a dangerous outfit that should not be underestimated.

In 2026, the Black Ferns v France rivalry enters a new era, with the sides set to meet four times during the inaugural WXV Global Series, beginning in Lyon, then shifting south to New Zealand for Tests in Hamilton, Whangārei and Christchurch.

France are now long-established as serious contenders who regularly challenge England in the Women’s Six Nations and regularly reach the closing stages of Rugby World Cups. Their ability to apply pressure on the best teams makes them dangerous in any conditions.

Who are France’s key players?

Influential halfback and newly named captain Pauline Bourdon Sansus is the heartbeat of the French team. An experienced leader, she controls the tempo, threatens around the fringes and connects France’s forwards with a backline that can sting you from anywhere on the park. It was her lightning quick decision-making that produced the opening try against the Black Ferns in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup bronze final.

In the pack, France can call upon powerful and mobile forwards such as Charlotte Escudero, Rose Bernadou, Axelle Berthoumieu and Léa Champon. Their carrying strength, breakdown pressure and set-piece ability will be central to France’s challenge, particularly with influential forwards Manaé Feleu and Madoussou Fall-Raclot unavailable for the series.

Gabrielle Vernier is an outstanding defensive midfielder and strong support runner. Behind her, Émilie Boulard offers counter-attacking ability from fullback, while Joanna Grisez brings sevens-honed acceleration and the ability to score from deep. Back-rower Léa Champon is another threat after scoring during France’s comeback in the 2025 bronze final.

Key France v Black Ferns player match-ups

The battle between Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Maia Joseph could set the tone for each of these Tests. The Black Ferns will desire quick ruck ball that allows Joseph, Hannah King and Sylvia Brunt to release their outside backs. At lineout time, Feleu and Maiakawanakaulani Roos will be central, while Escudero and Champon will test New Zealand loose forwards such as Elinor-Plum King and Kaipo Olsen-Baker.

Out wide, France must contain Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who scored twice against Les Bleues in the 2025 bronze final. Boulard and Grisez can answer by punishing inaccurate kicking or disconnected chase lines.

Jorja Miller, who emerged as one of the Black Ferns’ leading performers during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, is a notable absentee from the squad selected for the 2026 WXV away campaign.

France Squad for WXV Global Series

Forwards

• Amalia Bazola Allières
• Rose Bernadou
• Axelle Berthoumieu
• Yllana Brosseau
• Léa Champon
• Cloé Correa
• Annaëlle Deshaye
• Charlotte Escudero
• Madoussou Fall-Raclot — subsequently unavailable
• Hina Ikahehegi
• Marine Kazmierczak-Douet
• Assia Khalfaoui
• Mathilde Lazarko
• Maïlys Mailagi
• Ambre Mwayembe
• Elsa Peyras
• Élisa Riffonneau
• Lou Roboam
• Siobhan Soqeta
• Mouna Touré

Backs

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

Black Ferns v France: Four WXV Tests in 2026

The New Zealand Black Ferns, currently ranked number two in the world, will face the number four ranked French in four massive Tests in 2026.

Black Ferns v France Fixtures

The Lyon Test forms part of the Black Ferns’ northern leg of the WXV Global Series which also includes Tests against Scotland and England. France will then travel south for a three-Test series in New Zealand, a first for the Black Ferns.

Black Ferns v France rivalry history

The Blacks Ferns v France rivalry began in dramatic fashion back in 1996, when the Black Ferns won the first meeting 109–0, but the balance of power has shifted significantly since then. Before the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup bronze final, the teams had met a total of 12 times, with New Zealand leading seven wins to five. The Black Ferns’ victory at Twickenham extended that overall advantage to eight wins from 13 Tests.

France recorded their first official victory over New Zealand in 2018 and established themselves as a major threat by winning twice at home in 2021, 38–13 in Pau and 29–7 in Castres. Those results set the stage for one of the defining matches in Black Ferns history: the 2022 Rugby World Cup semi-final at Eden Park.

New Zealand survived 25–24 after France missed a late penalty attempt, then defeated England in the final to win a sixth world title. France responded in the inaugural WXV 1 tournament in 2023, beating the Black Ferns 18–17 in Wellington. A year later, New Zealand reversed that result with a 39–14 victory in Vancouver.

Their most recent meeting came in the 2025 Rugby World Cup bronze final at Twickenham. France scored first through Bourdon Sansus, but the Black Ferns produced a devastating burst before halftime and eventually won 42–26. Sorensen-McGee crossed twice, while Demant, Brunt, Renee Holmes and Laura Bayfield also scored. France showed their resilience with three late tries through Champon, Vernier and Boulard.

Four Tests in 2026 will add a new dimension to a rivalry traditionally shaped by World Cups and one-off encounters. France’s forward power and defensive pressure will meet the Black Ferns’ speed, movement and attacking ambition across four different venues. With both teams building towards Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029, every Test offers an opportunity to gain an edge — and every meeting promises another chapter in one of the closest fought rivalries in women’s international rugby.

France v Black Ferns recent results