The Black Ferns' 150th Test: Demant captains from 10 against France in Whangārei

The Black Ferns play their 150th Test today, against France at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei at 3.05pm, a week after beating them 81-12 in Hamilton. It has taken 35 years to get here: the first Test was against Canada at the first Women's World Cup, in Wales, in April 1991, and the 149 since have brought 123 wins and six World Cup titles.

The Black Ferns: Demant captains from 10

Ruahei Demant, who came off the bench and scored in Hamilton after her calf injury, starts at first five-eighth and captains the side. Hannah King, who held the No 10 jersey for five Tests in a row while Demant was out, moves to the bench. Tara Turner starts at halfback, with Maia Joseph, who scored twice in Hamilton, among the replacements. Laura Bayfield comes in at lock and Layla Sae at openside, and Mererangi Paul starts on the right wing, with Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a, four tries last week, moving to the left.

Two late injuries forced changes on Friday. Hooker Atlanta Lolohea hurt an ankle at training on Thursday and centre Amy du Plessis, who scored twice in Hamilton, was ruled out with a delayed concussion. Justine McGregor moves into the starting side at centre, and Vici-Rose Green and Ayesha Leti-I'iga come onto the bench. Prop Pip Love and hooker Holly Wratt-Groeneweg have been called into the squad as injury cover.

Black Ferns: Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Laura Bayfield, Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Layla Sae, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Tara Turner, Ruahei Demant (captain), Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a, Sylvia Brunt, Justine McGregor, Mererangi Paul, Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Bench: Vici-Rose Green, Maddison Robinson, Santo Taumata, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amarante Sititi, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Ayesha Leti-I'iga.

"Our biggest pressure comes from within," said coach Whitney Hansen, who wants the team "better again both individually and as a team". She has been warning all week that France will come back hard: "We know there's a bit of a storm coming."

France: eight changes

Coach François Ratier has made eight changes. Fullback Émilie Boulard, centre Gabrielle Vernier, first five-eighth Carla Arbez and prop Ambre Mwayembe return, lock Cloé Correa is back from suspension, Mathilde Lazarko takes over at hooker, Lou Roboam makes her first Test start and Anaïs Grando comes onto the wing. Alexandra Chambon captains again from halfback, and Teani Feleu stays at centre. "Il n'y a pas de peur," Ratier said: there is no fear.

France: Émilie Boulard, Marie Ibanez, Gabrielle Vernier, Teani Feleu, Anaïs Grando, Carla Arbez, Alexandra Chambon (captain); Axelle Berthoumieu, Touré, Léa Champon, Lou Roboam, Cloé Correa, Assia Khalfaoui, Mathilde Lazarko, Ambre Mwayembe. Bench: Élisa Riffonneau, Amalia Bazola-Allières, Marion Latonnelle, Julia Grosz, Elsa Peyras, Lylou Pédussaud, Lina Queyroi, Charlie Gauyat. (France's shirt numbers had not been published at the time of writing.)

The series

The Black Ferns lead 1-0. The third Test is at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday 31 October at 7.10pm. Today's game is live on Sky Sport.