Gaëlle Hermet will lead an experienced French team for their opening game of the Women’s Six Nations at home to Wales in Vannes.
While experienced campaigners like Jessy Trémoulière and Safi N’Diaye are only the bench, it is still a very strong side with the likes of Pauline Bourdon and Coumba Diallo also included.
Les Bleues, who had an up-and-down 2020, will be keen to bounce back at the Stade de la Rabine against Wales.
The front row is made of experienced trio Anaëlle Deshaye, Agathe Sochat and Clara Joyeux, while Diallo is joined Madoussou Fall in the second row.
Hermet captains the side from the back row, alongside Céline Férer and Emeline Gros at No.8.
Bourdon gets the nod at scrum-half, ahead of Laure Sansus, and she will link up with Morgane Peyronnet in the half-backs, while Gabrielle Vernier and Maëlle Filopon start together in midfield.
The one uncapped player in the side is Emilie Boulard who starts at full-back, with Caroline Boujard and Marine Ménager joining her in the back three.
France finished second in the 2020 Women’s Six Nations and will be hoping to get off to a strong start against Wales, with a trip to Ireland to come.
France team to take on Wales
15. Emilie Boulard 14. Caroline Boujard 13. Maëlle Filopon 12. Gabrielle Vernier 11. Marine Ménager 10. Morgane Peyronnet 9. Pauline Bourdon
1. Anaëlle Deshaye 2. Agathe Sochat 3. Clara Joyeux 4. Coumba Diallo 5. Madoussou Fall 6. Céline Férer 7. Gaëlle Hermet (c) 8. Emeline Gros
Replacements :
16. Laure Touyé 17. Rkhya Ait Lahbib 18. Maylis Traoré 19. Safi N’Diaye 20. Marjorie Mayans 21. Laure Sansus 22. Camille Imart 23. Jessy Trémoulière
