Second row Hina Ikahehegi, 22, comes in to win just her seventh cap and make only her second start.
Her promotion comes after co-captain Manae Feleu’s tournament came to an end because of a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle in the quarter-final win over Ireland.
Ikahehegi started playing rugby aged nine, following in the footsteps of her father who played for third-tier Arras, and her older brother Aselo, who plays at prop for Nevers in Pro D2.
She was born in Arras, but is of Wallisian descent, with Wallis and Futuna being one of France’s South Pacific overseas territories.
“My brother and I were fascinated by Jonah Lomu because of his origins, the islands and the All Blacks,” she told Midi Olympique last year., external
“He was really my idol, I used to say he was my uncle!”
She made her France debut only 45 miles up the M5 from Bristol at Kingsholm, Gloucester, in France’s 38-19 defeat by England last September.
