Carla Neisen Returns to French Rugby After Four-Year Absence

Carla Neisen is making a notable comeback to the French women's rugby team after a four-year hiatus, as she has been selected to start in an upcoming friendly match against England. This match, scheduled for Saturday at 21:10, serves as a key preparation event for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted in England from August 22 to September 27.

Neisen, at 29 years old and with 26 caps to her name, takes on the center position alongside co-captain Marine Ménager. She replaces Gabrielle Vernier, who is absent from this match. The coaching duo of Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz chose to retain much of the previous squad, with 11 of the 15 players from their recent Six Nations encounter against England expected to play, where they narrowly lost 43-42.

In addition to Neisen's return, the lineup features new starters in the forward positions, including Annaëlle Deshayes and Rose Bernardou as props, and Alexandra Chambon stepping in as scrum-half due to the suspension of veteran player Pauline Bourdon Sansus. The full roster against England includes players such as Bourgeois, Grisez, Arbey, and more.