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France team
It’s a formidable looking midfield as Gabrielle Vernier partners Marine Ménager. Pauline Bourdan Sansus will no doubt look for runners against the grain with every opportunity.
Lock Madoussou Fall Raclot was a menace against South Africa. Her carrying ability, along with Charlotte Escudero’s all-court game at the base of the ruck, will be key to providing France go-forward ball.
Morgane Bourgeois’ reliability from the tee sees her win the fullback jersey.
France: Bourgeois; Grisez, Menager, Vernier, Arbey; Queyroi, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Gerin, bernadou, Feleu, Raclot, Berthoumieu, Champon, Escudero.
Replacements: Deshaye, Hkalfaoui, Ikahehegi, Okemba, Feleu, Chambon, Boulard.
While I put together the team sheets, take a read of Andy Bull’s latest yarn:
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
Of the four quarterfinals, this one has the best chance of being a close affair.
New Zealand was always going to have too much for a spirited South Africa. Canada’s extra heft was always going to be too much for the plucky Aussies. England should sure have too much for a brave Scottish outfit.
And even though France will start as favourites, and should have too much for Ireland, we might just have a game on here.
France swept their group with the sensational Pauline Bourdon Sansus running the show at scrum-half (what is it with French scrummies?). But Ireland demonstrated more than pluck (though they did lose 40-0 to New Zealand).
The Irish are ranked fifth in the world, one place behind the French, Though admittedly a whopping 7.03 points separate them.
How many will separate them today?
We’ll find out together when things kick-off at 1pm BST.
Teams, updates and some reading to come.
