Among the 23 players competing for the first match of the 2023 Tournament on Sunday against Italy (22-12), two celebrated their first selection in Parma: Carla Arbez (Stade Bordelais, 23), starter at the opening, and Maëlle Picut (Blagnac, 23), who replaced Emeline Gros in the third line shortly after the hour of play.

Not intimidated for two cents, Arbez, passed by the U20s, had a solid game before being replaced by the experienced Jessy Trémoulière, more comfortable in managing the end of complicated matches.

"Carla played her role very well, she did not ask herself any questions despite her first +cape+, she knew how to animate with Pauline (Bourdon, editor's note), they found each other. It also allowed us to give us air when there was need, by the game at the foot, "analyzed the co-coach of the Blues Gaëlle Mignot after the match in Parma.

Like Arbez, Picut has been renewed in the group that will face Ireland on Saturday during the 2nd day of the Tournament in Cork, where Morgane Bourgeois (20, Stade Bordelais), another "new", will be at the back his first selection.

English accent

International number 398, Maëlle Picut, born in Versailles, has lived almost all her life abroad. She started rugby in Hong Kong and then played in the English league before returning to France in September to "follow (her) passion and try to integrate the high level".

"I was looking for a club, I was told +go to the South+, I arrived in Blagnac and it went really well, I love it. I feel great, I'm having fun and suddenly it's reflected on the pitch," she told AFP, in French with an English accent.

After only six months in France, a few matches with the first team of Blagnac, she is already selected with the Blues: "Yes, I know, it's crazy, I have not digested at all!", she smiles, evoking "a well-aligned timing".

Charlotte Escudero challenges Italy's Silvia Turani and Valeria Fedrighi, on October 19, 2022 in Whangarei, New Zealand © MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP/Archives

Before stepping on the pitch of the Parma stadium, she even had to learn the Marseillaise. "I only had a week to do it," she says. Every night while taking my shower, I sang new lyrics, but now it's okay, I +have+. On the other hand, what do your weird words mean, +slit+?" she asks.

Alongside these "babies" Blues, the third line Charlotte Escudero (Blagnac, 22 years old), who made a complete game in Italy (8 balls carried, 15 tackles), would almost serve as "old" with her eight caps.

"Revenge"

Except that it is also her first Tournament and that she honored her first "cape" last September, against Italy (21-0) in Nice.

For her, this tournament has "almost a taste of revenge: last year, I was injured so I am very happy to be part" of the 2023 edition, told AFP the Varoise, of all the matches of the Blues at the New Zealand World Cup.

Relieved to be among other Blagnacaises in the France team, Picut and Escudero stress that it has helped them a lot to "integrate".

And Picut adds that compared to England, "in France, we are more +group+, very together, the girls give 100%, with the heart and everyone supports each other, all the time".

© 2023 AFP