Pauline Bourdon will start at fly-half for France in their Women’s Six Nations opener against England at Stade du Hameau on Sunday (12.30pm).
Bourdon, nominated for World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in 2019, usually operates at scrum-half but will wear the No.10 jersey, linking up with half-back partner Laure Sansus, as France aim to defeat the defending champions.
Meanwhile promising lock Madoussou Fall has been given the nod in the second row.
The 21-year-old AC Bobigny 93 player will make her fifth appearance for her country after being picked ahead of the evergreen Safi N’Diaye.
Head coach Annick Hayraud said: “There are some positions where we had big discussions because there is a lot of competition in this France team, for example in the second row where Safi N’Diaye will be on the bench.
“In the half-backs we’ve already seen a little of this partnership with Pauline Bourdon at fly-half.
“We also picked the team with a view to our opponent.
“We have to make choices and find the best partnerships. We have 30-35 players who would be able to star this game against England.
“That’s good for us to have such a rich choice of options.
“It’s healthy competition for the players and allows us to work in the best possible conditions.”
15 Jessy Trémoulière (ASM Romagnat Rugby Féminin)
14 Caroline Boujard (Montpellier RC)
13 Camille Boudaud (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
12 Gabrielle Vernier (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
11 Cyrielle Banet (Montpellier RC)
10 Pauline Bourdon (AS Bayonnaise)
9 Laure Sansus (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
1 Lise Arricastre (Lons Rugby Féminin Béarn Pyrénées)
2 Agathe Sochat (Montpellier RC)
3 Annaëlle Deshaye (AS Rouen Université Club)
4 Audrey Forlani (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
5 Madoussou Fall (AC Bobigny 93 Rugby)
6 Céline Férer (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
7 Gaëlle Hermet (c) (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
8 Romane Ménager (Montpellier RC)
16 Caroline Thomas (ASM Romagnat Rugby Féminin)
17 Maïlys Traoré (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
18 Clara Joyeux (Blagnac Rugby Féminin)
19 Safi N’Diaye (Montpellier RC)
20 Julie Annery (Stade Français Paris)
21 Morgane Peyronnet (Montpellier RC)
22 Nassira Kondé (AC Bobigny 93 Rugby)
23 Marine Ménager (Montpellier RC)
