For the first time in her young career, Manae Feleu was named captain of the France team for the Six Nations Tournament. A role that she experienced last fall during the WXV, the new international tournament played in New Zealand. At 24, the second line has established itself as an indispensable element of the France group. Bronze medalist at the 2022 World Cup, the Grenoble player has never left the group. Manae Feleu nevertheless sailed before discovering the high level. Originally from Wallis and Futuna, where she grew up, this daughter of sportspeople (her parents were PE teachers) started rugby in 2011. A fan of athletics, she nevertheless left the family cocoon to continue her learning of rugby in New -Zealand before joining France, in Dijon and at only 17 years old. Rough defensively, quick for his position and technical, Manae Feleu is also a well-made head. The Wallisian is in fact continuing her medical studies, her sixth year.
The year 2023 has been busy for Gabrielle Vernier. Impressively, the three-quarter center won the title of best player of the Six Nations Tournament before being named in the XV of the best players in the world. The previous year, she had already shone at the World Cup. The Blagnac player was above all a formidable defender before becoming just as brilliant offensively. “I haven’t necessarily been asked to focus my game more on that. It came together little by little. I hadn’t been restrained in the past either. I don’t know if it’s the age, the experience. I have a little more maturity than before, I dare things more. My coaches, both in the selection and in the club, encourage these initiatives,” she told L’Equipe . His small size (1m65, 65 kg) does not, however, prevent him from making some serious tackles and standing out as the main French offensive and defensive weapon. Once again, Gabrielle Vernier should splash all the lawns with her talent.
Like Vernier, the Stade Toulousain player was named in the XV of the best players of the year 2023. As often. The experienced scrum half or fly half (28 years old, 52 caps) remains the cornerstone of the French game. Her vision, her passing and her kicking game make her a (new) formidable and feared weapon. “I like to have a certain vision of the game. There is more depth of field in the 10, but I prefer to play behind the scrum. These are two positions of responsibility don’t bother me. I like to lead, to command,” declared the latter four years ago. A vision that has not changed since. The former Bayonnaise is also one of the most experienced Bleues in the group. She started with the XV of France in 2015 against… England.
She is also a member of the French team. Present on the international circuit since 2016, Marine Ménager established herself with the number 13 on her back after often being pushed around on one wing. La Montpellier now has 44 selections under the tricolor tunic and composes, with Gabrielle Vernier, a pair of hellish centers. “We form a very complementary association and that’s what made us strong during the Tournament,” Vernier told L’Equipe last season before Ménager added: “We have two totally different profiles, but we completes well, precisely with our specificities. We both love to play.” Ménager’s physique, more solid than his center friend, allows him to attack the line with more power and sharpness. Not stingy with “bleeding” tackles, Romane’s twin – Blue’s third row – should still do damage to opposing defenses even if to face Ireland, Marine Ménager will start on one wing.
A real baptism of fire. At only 18 years old, young Kelly Arbey will have her first start against Ireland at right guard. Cited as one of the greatest hopes in French rugby, the Stade Toulousain player achieved the Grand Slam in 2022 and 2023 with the French under-18 team. “Kelly is a young player who has exceptional athletic qualities. She is solid, she goes fast, she is strong in duels… Today when we supervise the Elite 1 matches (first women’s division), we see that she dominates with her Toulouse club,” analyzed David Ortiz, the co-coach of the France team at a press conference this Thursday. All eyes will therefore be on the 18-year-old winger…
