France: The Blue dream
France is hoping to capture the first Rugby World Cup in its history in front of home fans.
Les Bleus have a dream: to emulate New Zealand and South Africa who triumphed as host countries in 1987 and 1995. It is a dream they came close to realizing in 1987 and again in 1999 only to have their illusions shattered first by New Zealand and then by Australia. Despite these defeats, France remains a nation known for its stylish rugby, creative and unpredictable, qualities the Anglo-Saxons like to describe as “French flair”. Two glorious semi-finals give a clearer insight into what they mean by the label. In 1987 Serge Blanco went over for a breath-taking try in the corner to pole-axe Australia 30-24 in a match which left Aussie fans dumbfounded. Twelve years later it was the turn of the All Blacks to fall victim to “French flair” during one of the competition’s most astonishing matches. Trailing by 14 point at the beginning of the second half, Fabien Pelous’ toops mounted an unstoppable rally, scoring 30 consecutive points to triumph 43-31.
To become the fifth nation - and second from the Old World - to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy, the team coached by Bernard Laporte can count on its traditional qualities, allied to a water-tight defence and improved discipline more in line with modern rugby. And that’s not forgetting the support of a whole country. But as Australia discovered when they were dominated by England in the previous final, that is not always sufficient.
Colours: |
Blue jersey, blue shorts, red socks |
Emblem: |
Cockerel |
National anthem: |
La Marseillaise |
Fans anthem: |
Allez les Bleus |
IRB world ranking (2006/07): |
2nd |
Rugby World Cup record: |
Finalists 1987, 1999 Quarter-finalists 1991 Semi-finalists 1995, 2003
Scored 968 points, conceded 545 |
Head coach: |
Bernard Laporte |
Squad Members List: |
Forwards: S Marconnet, P De Villiers, O Milloud, J-B Poux, R Ibanez, S Bruno, D Szarzewski, F Pelous, L Nallet, J Thion, S Chabal, S Betsen, I Harinordoquy, J Bonnaire, E Vermeulen, R Martin, Y Nyanga. Backs: P Mignoni, J-B Elissalde, D Skrela, L Beauxis, F Michalak, Y Jauzion, D Traille, D Marty, C Dominici, C Heymans, V Clerc, A Rougerie, C Poitrenaud |
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