France and New Zealand will battle for third place in Twickenham this weekend ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup final.
France vs. New Zealand team news, lineups, score prediction for first Women’s Rugby World Cup bronze final originally appeared on The Sporting News
France and New Zealand will grace the World Cup stage for the final time on Saturday, September 27 in the bronze final.
Despite both missing out on the finals, the two nations will have one last chance for glory as they fight to place third and earn the bronze medal.
Neither team lost a match, apart from the crucial semi-final, during their campaigns, and as world number four and three respectively it is sure to be a tough fight.
If France come away with a victory on Saturday, they will replace New Zealand as third best in the world - the first time ever that the Black Ferns could be out of the top three.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
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France vs. New Zealand starting XV, team news.
France have the chance to move into the top three teams in the world if they win this encounter, so will be coming out with all guns blazing.
The starting XV is recognisable from the one that faced England last weekend in the semi finals, although there have been some changes made.
Madoussou Fall Raclot is remaining at lock position but shifted to 5, with Taina Maka moving from as well as Taina Maka and Emilie Boulard joining on the pitch.
Morgane Bourgeois, who has traditionally been France’s choice kicker, is off to begin, as Boulard replaces her at fullback.
Nassira Konde, who scored two of France’s three tries in the semifinals, is back at outside centre, alongside Gaby Vernier on the inside.
France starting XV:
15 - Boulard, 14 - Grisez, 13 - Konde, 12 - Vernier, 11 - Menager, 10 - Arbez, 9 - Bourdon Sansus, 1 - Brosseau, 2 - Gerin, 3 - Bernadou, 4 - Maka, 5 - Fall Raclot, 6 - Escudero, 7 - Champon, 8 - Feleu
Full France squad
Forwards: Makarita Baleinadogo, Rose Bernadou, Axelle Berthoumieu, Manon Bigot, Yllana Brosseau, Lea Champon, Khoudedia Cissokho, Annaelle Deshaye, Charlotte Escudero, Madoussou Fall Raclot, Teani Feleu, Manae Feleu, Agathe Gerin, Hina Ikahehegi, Assia Khalfaoui, Taina Maka, Marie Morland, Seraphine Okemba, Elisa Riffoneau
Backs: Kelly Arbey, Carla Arbez, Emilie Boulard, Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Morgane Bourgeois, Alexandra Chambon, Joanna Grisez, Nassira Konde, Marine Menager, Carla Neisen, Lina Queyroi, Lina Tuy, Gaby Vernier
Injured: none
Suspended: none
Having won the 2021 World Cup, the Black Ferns will be wanting to defend their world ranking and reach the podium on Saturday, even if the top two places are out of reach for them.
The partnership of Portia Woodman-Wycliffe, the highest try-scorer in Women’s World Cup and young superstar Braxton Sorensen-McGee on either wing is back, as New Zealand hope to control the game more than they were able to against Canada in the semi-finals.
The starting XV is largely unchanged from the squad that faced the Maple Leafs, although both Laura Bayfield and Jorja Miller have taken up positions on pitch.
Both Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorensen-McGee were recently announced as nominees for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year 2025, and will have a chance to demonstrate their skills once more on the field.
Maiakawanakualani Roos and Chelsea Bremner are bringing out their lock pair once more, a well-oiled machine coupled with flankers Liana Mikaele-Tu’u and Kennedy Tukuafa.
New Zealand starting XV:
15 - Holmes, 14 - Sorensen-McGee, 13 - Waaka, 12 - Brunt, 11 - Woodman-Wycliffe, 10 - Demant, 9 - Pouri-Lane, 1 - Viliko, 2 - Ponsonby, 3 - Kalounivale, 4 - Roos, 5 - Bayfield, 6 -Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 - Miller, 8 - Olsen-Baker
Full New Zealand squad
Forwards: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Vici-Rose Green, Kate Henwood, Tanya Kalounivale, Atlanta Lolohea, Veisini Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Georgia Ponsonby, Maiakawanakualani Roos, Amy Rule, Layla Sae, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Kennedy Tukuafu, Chryss Viliko
Backs: Kelly Brazier, Sylvia Brunt, Ruahei Demant, Amy du Plessis, Iritana Hohaia, Renee Holmes, Maia Joseph, Ayesha Leti-Iiga, Risi Pouri-Lane, Theresa Setefano, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Stacey Waaka, Portia Woodman-Wycliffe
Injured: none
Suspended: none
France vs New Zealand score predictions
Both teams will be putting it all on the pitch for their final appearance on the World Cup stage. As the world number three’s and four’s, it bound to be a tight battle - but the Black Ferns have history backing them on this encounter.
Score Prediction: France 32 - 35 New Zealand
How to watch France vs New Zealand: Live stream, TV channel
All of the Women’s World Cup matches will be broadcast live on the BBC and on England Rugby’s YouTube. France versus New Zealand will take place Friday, September 27, at 12:30pm GMT.
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