Women’s Six Nations Championship. Filleus and Grosse confirmed, Bourgeois first: the formation of Ireland’s blue

France’s women’s 15th edition started the 2023 VI Nations Championship with a win on the road (22 to 12 in Italy) and continues it with another trip, to Ireland this time, which she hopes to triumph over. A journey he will take with 20 of the same 23 faces present last Sunday in Parma, even if the Blues put in a rather grueling performance.

In Ireland, Morgan Bourgeois (20, Stade Bordelais) will be honored with her first international cap, taking the full-back position at the expense of the uninspired Emily Pollard against the Italians. This, at the expense of the experienced Jessy Trémoulière (ASM Romagnat, 74 picks), is always limited to the role of substitute, as well as to her versatility (she also covers No. 10).

supposed renewal

Another change in the starting XI is the call-up of Clara Joyo (Blagnac, 37 caps) as the right post. Blagnacaise was the finisher at the last World Cup in New Zealand and took over the number 3 jersey from Assia El Khalfaoui (Stade Bordelais), but he is very successful in Italy, especially in closed scrum.

“We are integrating two young players again, who have been training with the group for two years,” confirms Gael Minot, coach and coach of the France XV Women’s Division with David Ortiz. It is also the culmination of the work done in our academies for several years. »

In addition to Bourgeois, this renewal concerns 19-year-old Elisa Revoneau, No. 2 of Stade Rennes, who was preferred to Célia Domain (Blagnac) as a substitute hooker. Khelfaoui will accompany her on the bench because Montpellier’s Rose Bernardou was injured on Wednesday in training at Marcoussi.

Filho and Gross strengthen the pack

Les Bleues staff also kept faith in the Dauphinois: Grenoble women Manaé Feleu (23 years, 6 picks), one of the most successful against the Transalpines, and Emeline Gros (27 years, 22 picks), despite cramps in Parma, kept her place In the second and third rows to strengthen the front eighth row.

“In the face of the powerful Irish group, we will continue to rely on our strengths, namely defense and conquest,” promises Mignot.

Finally, VFCG Amazon’s third rider Alexandra Chambon (22 years, 10 caps) – she only played the last three minutes in Parma – maintains her role as a substitute, ready to replace Pauline Bourdon during the match.

Note that Iséroise Maëlle Filopon (26), New Zealand’s World Cup superstar, is still off the score sheet. A pair of Cork’s tri-color centers will again be formed by Gabrielle Vernier (Parma’s man of the match) and Marine Ménager, a winger by profession.

On Saturday at Musgrave Park (live on France 2), this women’s fifteenth from France will try to inflict a second defeat of the fifteenth championship on Ireland, who were defeated last Saturday by the Welsh (5-31).