Deshayes, Sochat, N’Diaye, Drouin, Boujard, Sansus: six French rugby players appear in the women’s XV of the year 2021 unveiled on Wednesday December 8 by the International Federation (World Rugby).
Les Bleues, whose team is the third nation in the world, have pride of place in this “dream team” with the winger Caroline Boujard, the hinge Caroline Drouin and Laure Sansus, the front lines Agathe Sochat and Annaëlle Deshayes, and the second Safi N’Diaye line.
The XV of France female managed a perfect autumn tour by easily dominating South Africa (46-3) then by winning two prestigious victories in front of New Zealand, 38-13 in Pau then 29-7 in Castres.
A unique XV
It’s time to reveal the Dream Team of the Women’s XV of the Year 2021, in association with @Capgemini#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/q4Wg3VwFa1
– World Rugby FR (@WorldRugby_FR) December 8, 2021
The English, who have won the last three editions of the Six Nations Tournament, have five representatives in this XV of the year, including the third row Poppy Cleall, best player of the 2021 edition. Only four other countries are represented with a only player each: Wales (Jasmine Joyce), Italy (Béatrice Rigoni), Canada (Karen Paquin) and New Zealand (Zoe Aldcroft).
The female XV of the year 2021
Jasmine Joyce (WAL) – Caroline Boujard (FRA), Stacey Fluhler (NZL), Beatrice Rigoni (ITA), Abby Dow (ENG) – (o) Caroline Drouin (FRA), (m) Laure Sansus (FRA) – Karen Paquin (CAN), Poppy Cleall (ENG), Zoe Aldcroft (ENG) – Abbie Ward (ENG), Safi N’Diaye (FRA) – Sarah Bern (ENG), Agathe Sochat (FRA), Annaëlle Deshayes (FRA).