François Ratier Named New Head Coach of French Women's Rugby Team

The French Rugby Federation has officially appointed François Ratier as the new head coach of the French women's national rugby team, known as the XV de France féminin. Ratier, who will assume his role starting January 2026, succeeds the coaching duo Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz who led the team until the recent Rugby World Cup in England, where France finished fourth.

The 53-year-old Ratier brings a wealth of experience in women's rugby to the position. Previously, he coached the Canadian women's national team, guiding them to the final of the 2014 World Cup held in France. Additionally, since 2023, he has managed Stade Bordelais (Lionnes de Bordeaux), securing two consecutive national elite championships in 2024 and 2025. Notably, the Stade Bordelais team he coaches contributed ten players to the French roster at the last World Cup, underscoring his close connection to the national squad.

Ratier’s first major challenge as head coach will be preparing the French women for the Six Nations Tournament in April 2026, a competition that France has not won since 2018. The broader goal of his tenure is centered on elevating the team’s performance toward the 2029 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Jean-Marc Lhermet, vice-president of high-level sports at the French Rugby Federation, praised Ratier’s appointment, emphasizing his extensive expertise in women's rugby and his ability to unite the team around ambitious objectives. Ratier’s background also includes playing first-division rugby in Angoulême and acquiring Canadian nationality during his time coaching abroad.

This appointment follows a transparent recruitment process led by the FFR after the recent World Cup, signaling a strategic effort to build on France’s strong rugby tradition and contend for top honors in upcoming international competitions.