Jessy Trémoulière will make her comeback appearance for France Women after being named at full-back for the clash with Ireland in the Women’s Six Nations at Energia Park on Saturday.
Trémoulière, voted World Player of the Year in 2018 for her performances in the Championship where she helped France to the Grand Slam, has been out with a knee injury suffered in the autumn.
She has slowly worked her way back, getting up to speed with France’s Development Sevens squad, and now makes her return to the side.
Trémoulière is one of six changes to the side with injuries playing a role, as explained by manager Annick Hayraud.
She said: “Injuries have impacted our choices in this team selection, including another one yesterday. So we have to adapt and call on players who have been doing well in the league.
“We expect a better performance than the one against Scotland. Yes we scored 40 points, so from a results point of view, it was good, but in the manner we can be better, lose the ball less and concede fewer turnovers and handling errors.
“We need to be more demanding in those areas and also avoid conceding two tries like we did against Scotland. I expect the girls to raise their level against this Irish team.”
As well as Trémoulière there are three other changes in the back line as Caroline Boujard comes onto the wing, Yolaine Yengo starts at outside centre and Yanna Rivoalen gets the nod at scrum-half, with Pauline Bourdon shifting to No.10.
In the pack, Céline Ferer starts in the second row in place of Safi N’Diaye while Lise Arricastre is back at loosehead prop.
France: Trémoulière – Boujard, Yengo, Vernier, Jason – Bourdon, Rivoalen – Joyeux, Thomas, Arricastre – Forlani, Ferer – Hermet (cap), Diallo, R. Ménager
Replacements: Touye, Traore, Pelle, Bobo, Lecat, Coudert, Imart, M. Ménager
