Grisez debuts for France in RWC opener

France coach Thomas Darracq has named his team for the Rugby World Cup 2021 Pool C match against South Africa at Eden Park on 8 October.

TEAM NEWS NOTES: 

• Céline Ferer will captain France for the second time in the absence of Gaëlle Hermet who is continuing her recovery from a slight knee injury
• It will be the second time she captains Les Bleues and the first since leading France to a 25-16 victory over New Zealand in July 2019
• Joanna Grisez will make her test debut on the right wing, a month after winning bronze at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa  
• Full-back Chloé Jacquet made her test debut against South Africa in France’s 46-3 last November, as did replacements Coco Lindelauf and Mélissande Llorens
• Five members of France’s squad that won the bronze medal at RWC 2017 in Ireland start this match in Annaëlle Deshaye, Ferer, Caroline Drouin, Marjorie Mayans and Romane Ménager. Mayans also won bronze on home soil at RWC 2014
• Replacement scrum-half Pauline Bourdon is set to win her 40th cap off the bench 

The France team to face South Africa in the RWC opener.  

1. Annaëlle Deshaye
2. Laure Touye
3. Clara Joyeux
4. Céline Ferer (captain)
5. Madoussou Fall 
6. Charlotte Escudero 
7. Marjorie Mayans
8. Romane Ménager
9. Laure Sansus
10. Caroline Drouin
11. Emilie Boulard
12. Gabrielle Vernier
13. Maëlle Filopon
14. Joanna Grisez
15. Chloé Jacquet

16. Agathe Sochat
17. Coco Lindelauf
18. Assia Khalfaoui
19. Manaé Feleu
20. Emeline Gros
21. Pauline Bourdon
22. Lina Queyroi
23. Mélissande Llorens