France Women’s Rugby Team Dominates Italy in Six Nations 2026 Opener

The French women's rugby team launched their Six Nations 2026 campaign with a commanding 40-7 victory over Italy on April 11 in Grenoble. Under the new leadership of head coach François Ratier, Les Bleues overcame a challenging first quarter—where Italy initially controlled the ball—to firmly establish their dominance by scoring seven tries throughout the match.

Anaïs Grando marked a milestone by scoring her first international try, giving France an early 5-0 lead at halftime. France's defense proved solid, and the team significantly improved their offensive execution in the second half, which contributed to their final decisive margin. However, the team experienced a setback when Joanna Grisez sustained a knee injury and had to be stretchered off the field.

Team captain Manae Feleu expressed pride in the team's performance and acknowledged the journey ahead for further improvements. Coach Ratier emphasized the team's strong defensive foundation and praised the ability to score 40 points in the latter half as a positive indicator of the squad's potential this season.

The match kicked off at 1:25 PM at Stade des Alpes and was broadcast live on France 2, allowing fans to witness France’s impressive return to form. This win sets an encouraging tone for Les Bleues as they aim to break England's seven-year dominance in the tournament—a streak that has seen England clinch six consecutive titles since France last won in 2018.

France's squad—themselves semifinalists in the previous World Cup—hold a favorable record against Italy, having won their last five encounters and remaining unbeaten against them since 2022. Following this confident start, France will face Wales on April 18, Ireland on April 25, Scotland on May 9, and conclude the tournament at home against England, with that final match likely to be decisive for the championship crown.

Overall, France’s emphatic victory over Italy highlights their ambitions to reclaim Six Nations glory and bring sustained success to the national women's rugby program this season.