The second line of the French women’s XV Manae Feleu, who had been appointed captain of the Bleues for the “WVV”, the new international tournament which took place in New Zealand last fall, will retain this function during the Tournament of Six nations, announced the FFR on Monday.
During this new competition created by World Rugby, the protégés of coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz began with a victory against the New Zealand “Black Ferns”, reigning world champions (18-17), before losing to Australia (29-20) then against Canada (29-20).
Feleu (Grenoble, 24 years old, 12 selections) won the bronze medal with Les Bleues during the World Cup in the fall of 2022 in New Zealand.
The young woman succeeds second row Audrey Forlani, captain during the 2023 Tournament, and flanker Gaëlle Hermet, who had filled this role since the end of 2017.
Originally from Wallis and Futuna, where she started playing rugby before continuing her training in New Zealand, Manae Feleu is pursuing medical studies in parallel with her playing career.
The group of 42 Bleues summoned ahead of the Six Nations Tournament (March 23 – April 27), finished last year in second place, began a preparation course on Monday at Insep (National Institute of Sport, of expertise and performance).
They will meet again in Marcoussis the following week, before their first match against Ireland at Le Mans.
The French, whose last title dates back to 2018, Grand Slam to boot, will then go to Edinburgh to face Scotland on March 30, then will meet on April 14 at the Jean-Bouin stadium in Paris against Italy, before flying a week later to Cardiff where they will face the Welsh.
Finally, in what should be the “final” of the Tournament, they will play their last match against England at the Chaban-Delmas stadium in Bordeaux.