Several missing marks
Céline Ferer, Marjorie Mayans and Safi N'Diaye ended their careers following the last World Cup.
Laure Sansus, contender for the title of best player in the world last season, also ended her career after a serious injury.
For this Tournament, the French team will also do without Caroline Drouin.
The Rennes player will devote herself to rugby 7. Madoussou Fall (injured) and Joanna Grisez will not be there.
Note that Romane Ménager is forfeited for the first meeting in Italy.
To discover
Calendar and results 6 Nations
Ranking Tournament 6 of Nations
… But significant returns
But this French team can count on the significant returns of Cyrielle Banet (28 years old, 22 selections), Caroline Boujard (29 years old, 46 selections) and Audrey Forlani (31 years old, Blagnac, 56 selections).
The three players will bring their experience to the group.
Read alsoSix nations (F): Arbez at the opener against Italy, Hermet on the bench
New staff, new captain
The former staff made up of Thomas Darracq and Annick Hayraud has left.
The former player and captain of Les Bleues, Gaëlle Mignot, and the former coach of UBB and Agen hopes, David Ortiz, become the two coaches of the France Women's team.
They were also joined by Sylvain Mirande, former three-quarter center of Agen, Montpellier, Dax and Mont-de-Marsan, who will lead the back lines.
Audrey Forlani, the experienced second line of Blagnac succeeds Gaëlle Hermet as captain of the Blue.
Read alsoXV of France F: the Bleues are “under reconstruction”, according to the new captain Audrey Forlani
Trémoulière, last lap
The best player in the world in 2018 and of the decade (2010-2020) will put an end to her tricolor adventure at the end of the Tournament.
"
I decided a few weeks ago to end my international career,"
she told
Midi Olympique.
The Romagnat player notably participated in two Grand Slams with the French team: in 2014 and 2018. With 256 points, the rear of Les Bleues is the fourth best scorer in the history of the competition, 51 points behind the Irishwoman Niamh Briggs, now retired.
Trémoulière explains in particular that it had become incompatible to pursue his career in selection at the same time as his activity as an employee of the family farm.
Read alsoRugby at 7: Lilou Graciet burns the stages
The English more than ever favorites
They fell in the final against the host country, New Zealand, at the last World Cup (34-31).
But remain more than ever favorites for this new edition of the Tournament.
The English – with 18 titles in the competition since 1996 – will once again be formidable opponents.
Last year, they won the final day against Les Bleues in a sold-out Jean-Dauger stadium in the coronation match (12-24).
THE BLUE CALENDAR
March 26: Italy - France (3 p.m.) in Parma
April 1: Ireland - France (4:15 p.m.) in Cork
April 16: France - Scotland (4:15 p.m.) in Vannes
April 23: France - Wales (4:15 p.m.) in Grenoble
April 29: England-France (2 p.m.) in London
