France in Hamilton: a first-time captain, four debutants and no Feleu skipper

France arrive in Hamilton for the first of three Tests against the Black Ferns with a first-time captain, four Test debutants and without their usual skipper. Here is who they are, and why the visitors may be better than the lineup suggests.

A first-time captain

Scrum-half Alexandra Chambon, 26, with 43 caps, captains France for the first time at FMG Stadium Waikato (3.05pm today). Coach François Ratier has made her the leader for the New Zealand tour because Manaé Feleu, the captain since 2023, is at home sitting medical entrance exams, and Pauline Bourdon Sansus, who captained France in the September home leg, has stayed in France for family reasons. We told Manaé Feleu's story on Thursday. Gabrielle Vernier and Carla Arbez miss out on the matchday 23.

The side

France start with Morgane Bourgeois at fullback, Marie Ibanez and Léa Murie on the wings, and Teani Feleu, Manaé's younger sister, at centre. Feleu, 23, was called "surpuissante" (super-powerful) in Rugbyrama's player ratings against Canada in September and was named the best French women's international of 2024-25 at the Nuit du Rugby. The front row is Annaëlle Deshayes, Élisa Riffonneau and Assia Khalfaoui, with Julia Grosz and debutant Ylona Avril at lock, and Axelle Berthoumieu and Léa Champon in the back row alongside Toure. The bench includes Mathilde Lazarko, Elsa Peyras and Lina Queyroi.

There are four Test debutants in the matchday 23: Avril in the starting side, and Marion Latonnelle, Lylou Pedussaud and Charlie Gauyat from the bench; Pedussaud and Gauyat, both from Toulouse, are teenagers. The squad averages about 24 years of age.

The Black Ferns' side: King holds the 10

On the New Zealand side, Hannah King keeps the No 10 jersey for her 19th Test, her fifth start in a row, after taking over while Ruahei Demant recovered from a calf injury. King made her debut against the United States in 2024 and started at 10 against South Africa in Soweto in September. "It's been a real silver lining to the injury," coach Whitney Hansen said of King's run, adding that King "has grown from strength to strength". Demant, the co-captain, is back on the bench, where she can cover first and second five-eighth.

The history

The sides are ranked second (New Zealand) and fourth (France) in the world, and the recent record is tight. The Black Ferns won the 2022 World Cup semifinal at Eden Park 25-24; France won 18-17 in Wellington in 2023; New Zealand won 39-14 at WXV 1 in Vancouver in 2024; the Black Ferns won the bronze-medal match at the 2025 World Cup 42-26; and in September in Lyon, the Black Ferns won 28-14, with Teani Feleu playing centre for France.

The series

The Hamilton Test is the first of three on consecutive Saturdays: Whangārei at 3.05pm on 24 October, and Christchurch at 7.10pm on 31 October. France arrive after wins over Australia (29-26) and Canada (21-5) in their September Global Series games.