Here are the Blues in competition again. The French women’s Rugby team starts the WXV this Monday, September 30, an international tournament created in 2023 by World Rugby. On the program, three matches against Canada, the United States and New Zealand.
A few months before the 6 Nations Tournament (from March 22 to April 26) and a little less than a year from the World Cup in England (from August 22 to September 27), this “Women Fifteen” will not fail to challenges for a French XV always in search of trophies.
“Last year, we won the first match against the New Zealanders, and afterwards, we had a poor performance against Australia and we also missed out against Canada. We were in a year of development […]explained co-selector Gaëlle Mignot, on the FFR website. This year it will be a different context. We are entering a phase where we want to perform. The teams that we will meet during this upcoming WXV are direct competitors for the World Cup next year. So we want to appear as best as possible. »
Double captaincy, preparation for the 2025 World Cup… Here are the challenges of this competition.
Test the double captaincy
The management of the French staff communicated, Thursday September 12, the names of the two captains of the Blue for the coming season, and until the 2025 World Cup: they are Manaé Feleu (24 years old, 18 caps) , who plays for the Amazones de Grenoble, and Marine Ménager (28 years old, 49 caps), player for Montpellier HR.
Second row Manaé Feleu already wore the armband last year, while winger Marine Ménager was vice-captain. This choice is therefore part of the continuity for the coaching duo Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, in office since the end of the 2022 World Cup, and still in search of a first trophy under their mandate.
This WXV will be the way to see how the two French captains get along and the usefulness of this “double piloting”.
READ ALSO. Women’s XV of France. Three things to know about Manae Feleu, the new captain of the Blues
Reassure yourself before the 6 Nations?
This WVX will also be a good time for Les Bleues to reassure themselves before the 6 Nations Tournament (from March 22 to April 26). Manaé Feleu’s partners are not confident after the slap inflicted by England in a friendly match at the beginning of September (19-38). Although they reacted in the second half, they were down 19 to nothing at the break and the final score remains very heavy.
If they will not meet the Red Roses during the WXV, they will challenge the Black Ferns, reigning world champions and world number two. The New Zealanders are also the last to have beaten the English, during the final of the 2022 World Cup (34-31).
This France – New Zealand will therefore be a very good test for the Tricolores before finding their nemesis during the 6 Nations 2025 (April 26). And perhaps finally find the keys to foiling the English trap? The French XV has not won the Tournament since the Grand Slam in 2018 and lost heavily in the 2024 final against England (21-42).
“We are not going to judge our Tournament solely on this match. The adventure is taking shape. […], tried to reassure Gaëlle Mignot with The Team, afterwards. We are convinced that we can catch up in 18 months. We won more than we think in this Tournament. We realize that it is possible. We’re going to get back to work strong. We are not going to give up until 2025. The World Cup remains our goal. »
Preparing for the 2025 World Cup
The WVX will also and, above all, be a good opportunity to prepare for the 2025 World Cup, which will take place in England (from August 22 to September 27). This tenth edition will feature a big novelty: instead of twelve teams competing against each other, there will be sixteen, with four groups of four – the first two in each group qualifying for the quarter-finals.
For the moment, ten teams are qualified: Canada, England, France, New Zealand, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Ireland, Fiji and the United States. Six teams can still get their ticket at the end of this WXV. The draw will be made in mid-October.
The French will find three teams already qualified for the World Cup at the WXX. A very good rehearsal. “It’s a sequence of four very high-level matches (with the friendly against England), explained David Ortiz on the FFR website. This is the only time we have in our season to play matches against teams from the Top 6 in the world. […] Only the World Cup will allow us to have sequences of the same kind. We have to make the most of this period to continue working against teams who will challenge us. »
Will this World Cup be the right one for Les Bleues? They have never been crowned world champions and remain on three bronze medals… In nine editions. This WXV must be a springboard for this World Cup, the objective of the season.
The Blue schedule at WXV
Canada – France, September 30 at 12:45 a.m.
United States – France, October 5 at 9:30 p.m.
New Zealand – France, October 13 at 12:45 a.m.
