Caroline Drouin, Laure Sansus, Joanna Grisez… Five players from the France team to follow during the World Cup

Rugby may be a team sport, but it is sometimes the individualities that make the difference in a match. As the Women’s Rugby World Cup begins with the opening match between the XV of France and South Africa, Saturday October 8, at 3:15 a.m. Auckland (New Zealand)franceinfo: sport highlights five French players to follow during the competition, among the 32 selected by the coach Thomas Darracq.

Caroline Drouin, class

At just 26 years old, the Stade Rennes fly-half has a long track record. With the XV of France, Caroline Drouin finished third in the 2017 World Cup and won the Six Nations in 2018 by achieving the Grand Slam, while with the French team at seven, she gleaned silver in the Coupe World Rugby (2018) and the Tokyo Olympics (2021). With regular club performances, solid in defense and able to chain efforts, the international with 26 caps, voted best player in the French championship in 2018, will be the guardian of the French game in New Zealand.

Gaëlle Hermet, the captain

International since 2016, Gaëlle Hermet has established herself over her 45 selections, as the essential captain of the XV of France. Aged 26, this occupational therapist by training, with incessant activity in the field, has just won the French championship with Stade Toulouse and is preparing to play her first world tournament in selection. Captain during the last French Grand Slam (in 2018), the 3rd line wing, victim of a sprained left knee during a preparation match a month ago, is left to rest for the first match of the Blue against the ‘South Africa. In his absence, it is the second line Céline Ferer (54 selections) who will inherit the captain’s armband.

Laure Sansus, the last dance

Best French international player at the last Rugby Night after being voted best player of the 2022 Six Nations Tournament, Laure Sansus is living her last weeks as a professional player. At 28, the Stade Toulousain scrum-half will hang up his crampons after the World Cup, after having already put his career on hold in 2017-2018. A medal in New Zealand would allow her to finish her career in apotheosis, and to make the best farewell gift to her teammates.

Jessy Trémoulière, the story

Less used by Thomas Darracq in recent months, Jessy Trémoulière (30) nevertheless remains an essential cog in the French machine. With 71 caps on the clock, a title of best player in the world in 2018, and another player of the decade 2010-2020, the back of ASM Romagnat will bring all her experience to the locker room. Third in the 2014 World Cup, absent from the 2017 edition after a hip injury which forced her to race against time, she is well on her way to New Zealand, eleven years after discovering the selection. The farmer will be able to troubleshoot both at the back post and at the opening.

Joanna Grisez, the newcomer

If the four previous players are known faces of the XV of France, Joanna Grisez (26 years old) does not have any selection. Like Caroline Drouin (and like other XV players), the winger from Bobigny made a name for herself in rugby sevens, and has even just won a bronze medal with the France team, during of the Mondial in Cape Town, last September. “She’s an outstanding finisher” said about him Thomas Darracq, who chose to establish it on Saturday, against South Africa.

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