Will it be third time lucky for new Wales’ women’s head coach Sean Lynn? After opening defeats to Scotland and England, Lynn’s side will be in Brive for Round 3 trying to beat the French for the first time since 2016. (Saturday, 12 April – kick-off 12.45pm)
Lynn has been forced into making one change to the side that conceded 11 tries in the 67-12 defeat to England at Principality Stadium last time out. Outside half Lleucu George is ruled out with an ankle injury and that means Harlequins No 10 Kayleigh Powell switches from centre. Courtney Keight comes off the bench to join Hannah Jones in the midfield.
“Kaylkigh and Lleucu are different style players, but the game plan won’t change. It also now means we’ll have Courtney to give us go forward in the midfield,” said Lynn.
“We took a lot of learnings from the England game. They they took us out of our comfort zone and that made me realise I had to take the players out of their comfort zone in training.
“We’ve been trying to train with intensity during the build-up. Everything is about ensuring we improve in every game.
“We know we can do better and that some aspects of our performance against England were not good enough. We’re determined to put that right against a French team we know are world class.
“We have to challenge ourselves to match them, and we know it’s going to be a hostile environment out there in Brive. The performance is what I’m going after – showing intensity and putting the French under pressure.”
The home half-backs Carla Arbez and Pauline Bourdon-Sansus are the chief playmakers in the French side. They have already beaten Ireland 27-15 away and Scotland 38-15 at home and beat Wales 40-0 in Cardiff in their last meeting.
Coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz have made one change from that victory in La Rochelle, with Emilie Boulard replacing Mélissande Llorens on the wing.
“We’ve had a few tasty sessions in the fallow week. We’re trying to make little improvements in areas week by week,” said Wales captain Hannah Jones, who played in the last win ov er the French in 2016 in a 10-8 win in Aberavon.
“Once again, we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain as underdogs. I like the hostile environment you get when playing in France because it’s fun to play in.
“If we can start and continue as we did in the first 10 minutes against England then maybe the crowd will turn. “
Brython Thunder lock Natalia John returns from injury among the replacements
TEAMS
France: Morgane Bourgeois; Kelly Arbey, Marine Menager (co-capt), Montserrat Amedee, Emilie Boulard; Carla Arbez, Pauline Bourdon-Sansus; Yllana Brosseau, Manon Bigot, Rose Bernadou, Manae Feleu (co-capt), Madouddou Fall-Raclot, Charlotte Escudero, Seraphine Okemba, Teani Feleu
Reps: Elisa Riffonneau, Ambre Mwayembe, Assia Khalfaoui, Kiara Zago, Axelle Berthoumieu, Lea Champon, Oceane Bordes, Lina QueyroiWales: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (captai), Courtney Keight, Carys Cox; Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans
Reps: Kelsey Jones, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Bryonie King, Sian Jones, Nel MetcalfeReferee: Holly Wood (RFU)