Will the French women’s XV manage to break their glass ceiling of the World Cup semi-finals? The French Rugby Federation has in any case given itself the means to achieve this by appointing a new experienced coach: François Ratier. Double reigning French champion with Stade Bordeaux, the former Angoulême winger was appointed by the FFR strategic office after a series of interviews conducted in November.
Last month, a month after the elimination of the Blues in the semi-final of the World Cup against England, an announcement was published on France Travail to find a successor to the duo formed by Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz since 2022. A “recognized manager”, with “natural leadership”, with “solid experience of high level rugby, ideally with a female audience”, was sought, with the 2029 World Cup as the objective.
World Cup finalist with Canada
The choice finally fell on François Ratier, while the under-20 coach Caroline Suné, that of Bobigny Clémence Geucier, the former coach of Perpignan Gérald Bastide, the technician Florent Wieczoreck, the coach of Romagnat Fabrice Ribeyrolles and Gaëlle Mignot were also candidates according to L’Équipe.
“We welcome François Ratier, whose extensive experience in French and international women’s rugby combined with the ability to unite around an ambitious project corresponds perfectly to the requirements of the French Women’s XV,” rejoiced Jean-Marc Lhermet, vice-president of the FFR delegated at high level, in a press release.
The Charentais indeed has solid experience. Coach of the Canadian women’s national team between 2013 and 2017, he notably took the Canadians to the final of the 2014 World Cup against England, beating the Blues in the semi-finals. At the head of Stade Bordeaux since 2023, he has already won two titles with several French internationals such as Assia Khalfaoui, Madoussou Fall, Carla Arbez, Nassira Konde and Morgane Bourgeois.
