France have named their squad of 35 players for the upcoming TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
Annick Hayraud has named an experienced squad for the campaign, including 16 of the 23 who lost in the final of the Championship last year.
France lost 10-6 to England in the showpiece of the rejigged Championship due to Covid-19 and are one of the favourites to lift the trophy this year, after securing two impressive wins over New Zealand in the Autumn.
The formidable half-back pairing of Laure Sansus and Caroline Drouin are both included in the squad for the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations along with experienced full-back Jessy Tremouliere.
Cyrielle Banet, who scored twice in the 38-13 win over the Black Ferns in November is also included, but there is no space for Pauline Bourdon whose battle with Sansus for the number nine jersey has every side in World rugby looking on enviously.
Les Bleus open up their campaign against Italy on Sunday 27 March at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, before hosting Ireland at the Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse.
Round 3 sees them visit Scotland at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, before heading to Wales for Round 4.
Round 5 sees a repeat of last year’s final and a potential title decider against England at the Stade Jean Dauger in Bayonne.
They will meet for a ten-day training camp at the National Centre of Rugby in Marcoussis on March 17, before their Championship commences.
Head coach Hayraud said: “This squad of 35 players will prepare, train and play the first three matches of the Championship this year.
“We used our ten-day training camp to form this squad and give the French Women’s team and staff the means to start the tournament in the best possible way.”
France squad for TikTok Women’s Six Nations:
ANNERY Julie (Stade Français Paris)
BANET Cyrielle (Montpellier RC)
BERNADOU Rose (Montpellier RC)
BERTHOUMIEU Axelle (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
BOUDAUD Camille (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
BOULARD Emilie (RC Chilly Mazarin)
BROSSEAU Yllana (Stade Bordelais)
CASTEL Marie Aurélie (Stade Rennais Rugby)
CHAMBON Alexandra (FC Grenoble Amazones)
DESHAYE Annaëlle (Lyon Olympique Universitaire)
DIALLO Coumba (Stade Français Paris)
DOMAIN Célia (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
DROUIN Caroline (Stade Rennais Rugby)
ESCUDERO Charlotte (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
FALL Madoussou (Stade Bordelais)
FELEU Manae (FC Grenoble Amazones)
FILOPON Maëlle (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
FORLANI Audrey (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
GROS Emeline (Montpellier RC)
HERMET Gaëlle (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
JACQUET Chloé (Lyon Olympique Universitaire)
JOYEUX Clara (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
KHALFAOUI Assia (Stade Bordelais)
LINDELAUF Coco (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
LLORENS Mélissande (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
MAYANS Marjorie (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
MENAGER Marine (Montpellier RC)
MENAGER Romane (Montpellier RC)
MURIE Léa (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
PEYRONNET Morgane (Montpellier RC)
SANSUS Laure (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
SOCHAT Agathe (Stade Bordelais)
TOUYE Laure (Montpellier RC)
TREMOULIERE Jessy (ASM Romagnat Rugby Féminin)
VERNIER Gabrielle (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)