Black Ferns v France: WXV Global Series 2026 Preview

The Black Ferns launch their 2026 WXV Global Series campaign against France in Lyon this weekend, beginning a demanding run of international Tests across Europe and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The new-look WXV Global Series brings the world’s leading women’s rugby nations together in a home-and-away format as preparations build towards Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 in Australia.

For the Black Ferns, the campaign starts at Matmut Stadium de Gerland on Saturday 12 September local time — 3.45am Sunday 13 September NZT — before Tests against Scotland and world champions England. They will then return home to face France in Hamilton, Whangārei and Christchurch in October.

France v Black Ferns: opening match details

The Lyon Test renews one of the strongest rivalries in women’s international rugby. The Black Ferns defeated France in the bronze medal match at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and also claimed a 39–14 WXV 1 victory in Vancouver in 2024. Those results followed two much tighter contests: France’s 18–17 win in Wellington in 2023 and the Black Ferns’ unforgettable 25–24 Rugby World Cup semi-final victory in 2022.

Watch Highlights: Black Ferns v France | Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

Black Ferns players to watch against France

The Black Ferns team to play France will be confirmed closer to kick-off. Several players arrive in Lyon with strong recent form and are likely to be central to New Zealand’s challenge.

The Black Ferns travel to France after a 52–20 victory over the Springbok Women at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Elinor-Plum King and Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored two tries apiece, while Chryss Viliko, Maia Joseph, Amarante Sititi and Maama Vaipulu also crossed.

That performance extended the Black Ferns’ winning run to six Tests, but the match also provided valuable preparation for the physical challenges ahead. France’s forward strength, defensive pressure and ability to compete at the breakdown will demand accuracy from New Zealand at scrum and lineout time.

Black Ferns 2026 WXV Global Series fixtures

The Black Ferns will play six matches in the inaugural WXV Global Series: three away Tests in Europe followed by three home Tests against France.

All Black Ferns internationals will be broadcast live on Sky Sport in New Zealand. Tickets for the three home Tests against France are available through the official Black Ferns ticketing channels.

A new era for the WXV Global Series

The 2026 WXV Global Series features the world’s 12 highest-ranked teams: New Zealand, England, Canada, France, Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, USA and Wales.

Across the international window from 12 September to 31 October, teams will play cross-regional Tests in a travelling home-and-away format. Thirty-six matches will be played during the 2026 window, forming part of more than 100 internationals scheduled across the three years leading into Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.

For the Black Ferns, the schedule provides regular Tests against different playing styles and some of the leading teams in the women’s game. The away programme includes France, Scotland and world champions England, while the three-match home series against France gives supporters across Aotearoa the opportunity to see the rivalry continue in Hamilton, Whangārei and Christchurch.

The next six leading nations — Fiji, Hong Kong China, Netherlands, Samoa, Spain and Brazil — will contest the WXV Global Series Challenger at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.

The Challenger competition will be played across three match weekends in September. The move from the former three-tier WXV structure to a two-level system is designed to create more regular, competitive international rugby and a clearer pathway towards Rugby World Cup qualification.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 qualification

The Black Ferns have already qualified for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 alongside hosts Australia and fellow 2025 semi-finalists England, Canada and France.

The remaining qualification places will be decided through regional competitions, the World Rugby Women’s Rankings and the 2028 WXV Global Series Challenger. Although the Black Ferns’ place in Australia is secure, every WXV Test remains important for rankings, combinations and the team’s long-term preparation.

The immediate focus is Lyon, where the Black Ferns and France will add another chapter to a rivalry that has produced some of the most memorable Tests in recent women’s rugby history.

Follow the Black Ferns news, fixtures, team announcements, match coverage and results on allblacks.com and the All Blacks app

Watch Highlights | Black Ferns v France | 2024, WXV 1

Watch as the Black Ferns close out their 2024 WXV 1 campaign with a high octane clash against France at BC Place in Vancouver.