France at the Rugby World Cup
The France national rugby team have competed in all the Rugby World Cup tournaments. They are one of five teams who have played in the final match, having done so three times (1987, 1999, 2011), losing and finishing second in the tournament each time. They have made it to at least the quarter-finals at every tournament.
France hosted the 2007 tournament, and co-hosted the 1991 competition with Ireland and the United Kingdom. They also hosted some matches of the 1999 event, where the main host was Wales.
By position
| Host & Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D | L | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  1987 |
Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 215 | 113 |
   1991 |
Quarter-final | 7th | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 92 | 44 |
 1995 |
Third place | 3rd | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 184 | 87 |
 1999 |
Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 210 | 144 |
| 2003 |
Fourth place | 4th | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 267 | 155 |
| 2007 |
Fourth place | 4th | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 227 | 103 |
| 2011 |
Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 159 | 124 |
 2015 |
Quarter-final | 6th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 133 | 125 |
 2019 |
||||||||
| Total | 8/8 | 0 Title | 48 | 33 | 1 | 14 | 1487 | 895 |
By matches
1987
- Pool
| 1987-05-23 |
| France | 20 – 20 |  Scotland |
| Tries: Sella Berbizier Blanco Con: Blanco Pen: Blanco (2) | Tries: White Duncan Pen: Hastings (4) |
| Lancaster Park, Christchurch Referee: Fred Howard |
| 1987-05-28 |
| France | 55 – 12 |  Romania |
| Tries: Lagisquet (2) Charvet (2) Sella Andrieu Camberabero Erbani Laporte Con: Laporte (8) Pen: Laporte | Pen: Bezuscu (4) |
| Athletic Park, Wellington Referee: Bob Fordham |
| 1987-06-02 |
| France | 70 – 12 |  Zimbabwe |
| Tries: Modin (3) Camberabero (3) Charvet (2) Rodriguez (2) Durboca Esteve Laporte Con: Camberabero (9) | Try: Kaulbach Con: Grobler Pen: Grobler (2) |
| Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Derek Bevan |
- Knock-out stages
- Quarter-final
| 1987-06-07 |
Fiji  | 16 – 31 | France |
| Tries: Qoro Damu Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua (2) | Tries: Rodriguez (2) Lorieux Lagisquet Con: Laporte (3) Pen: Laporte (2) Drop: Laporte |
| Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Clive Norling |
- Semi-final
| 1987-06-13 |
| Australia | 24 – 30 | France |
| Tries: Campese Codey Con: Lynagh (2) Pen: Lynagh (3) Drop: Lynagh | Tries: Lorieux Sella Lagisquet Blanco Con: Camberabero (4) Pen: Camberabero (2) |
| Concord Oval, Sydney Attendance: 17,768 Referee: Brian Anderson |
- Final
| 20 June 1987 |
| New Zealand | 29 – 9 | France |
| Tries: Jones Kirk Kirwan Con: Fox Pen: Fox (4) Drop: Fox | Try: Berbizier Con: Camberabero Pen: Camberabero |
| Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 46,000 Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald |
1991
- Pool
| 1991-10-04 |
| France | 30 – 3 |  Romania |
| Tries: Roumat, Lafond, Penalty Try, Saint-André Con: Camberabero Pen: Camberabero (4) | Pen: Nichitean |
| Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers Referee: Les Peard |
| 1991-10-08 |
| France | 33 – 9 | Fiji |
| Tries: Lafond (3), Sella (2), Camberabero Con: Camberabero (3) Pen: Camberabero | Tries: Naruma Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua |
| Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble Referee: Derek Bevan |
| 1991-10-13 |
| France | 19 – 13 |  Canada |
| Tries: Lafond, Saint-André Con: Camberabero Pen: Lacroix (2), Camberabero | Tries: Wyatt Pen: Wyatt, Rees Drop: Rees |
| Stade Armandie, Agen Referee: Stephen Hilditch |
- Knock-out stages
- Quarter-final
| 1991-10-19 |
| France | 10 – 19 | England |
| Tries: Lafond Pen: Lacroix (2) | Tries: Underwood, Carling Con: Webb Pen: Webb (3) |
| Parc des Princes, Paris Referee: David Bishop |
1995
- Pool
| 1995-05-26 |
| France | 38 – 10 |  Tonga |
| Tries: Thierry Lacroix (2), Aubin Hueber, Philippe Saint-André Con: Thierry Lacroix (3) Pen: Thierry Lacroix (3) Drop: Yann Delaigue | Tries: Tevita Va'enuku Con: Sateki Tu'ipulotu Pen: Sateki Tu'ipulotu |
| Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 25 000 Referee: Steve Lander |
| 1995-05-30 |
| France | 54 – 18 |  Ivory Coast |
| Tries: Thierry Lacroix (2), Abdelatif Benazzi, William Téchoueyres, Sébastien Viars, Guy Accoceberry, Philippe Saint-André, Arnaud Costes Con: Christophe Deylaud (2), Thierry Lacroix (2) Pen: Thierry Lacroix (2) | Tries: Aboubacar Soulama, Aboubakar Camara Con: Victor Kouassi Pen: Victor Kouassi (2) |
| Olympia Park, Rustenburg Attendance: 17 000 Referee: Han Moon-Soo  |
| 1995-06-03 |
| France | 22 – 19 | Scotland |
| Tries: Émile Ntamack Con: Thierry Lacroix Pen: Thierry Lacroix (5) | Tries: Rob Wainwright Con: Gavin Hastings Pen: Gavin Hastings (4) |
| Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 40 000 Referee: Wayne Erickson |
- Knock-out stages
- Quarter-final
| 1995-06-10 |
| France | 36 – 12 | Ireland |
| Tries: Philippe Saint-Andre, Émile Ntamack Con: Thierry Lacroix Pen: Thierry Lacroix (8) | Pen: Eric Elwood (4) |
| Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 18 000 Referee: Ed Morrison |
- Semi-final
| 1995-06-17 |
| South Africa | 19 – 15 | France |
| Tries: Ruben Kruger Con: Joel Stransky Pen: Joel Stransky (4) | Pen: Thierry Lacroix (5) |
| Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 50 000 (capacity) Referee: Derek Bevan |
- Third-place play-off
| 1995-06-22 |
| France | 19 – 9 | England |
| Tries: Olivier Roumat, Émile Ntamack Pens: Thierry Lacroix (3) | Pens: Rob Andrew (3) |
| Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 45,000 Referee: David Bishop |
1999
- Pool
| 1999-10-02 |
| France | 33 – 20 | Canada |
| Tries: Émile Ntamack, Stéphane Glas, Thomas Castaignède, Olivier Magne Con: Richard Dourthe (2) Pen: Richard Dourthe (3) | Tries: Morgan Williams (2) Con: Robert Ross, Gareth Rees Pen: Robert Ross, Gareth Rees |
| Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers Referee: Brian Campsall |
| 1999-10-08 |
| France | 47 – 13 |  Namibia |
| Tries: Ugo Mola (3), Émile Ntamack, Richard Dourthe, Pierre Mignoni, Philippe Bernat-Salles Con: Richard Dourthe (4) Pen: Richard Dourthe (3) | Tries: Arthur Samuelson Con: Leandre Van Dyk Pen: Leandre Van Dyk (2) |
| Parc Lescure, Bordeaux Referee: Chris White |
| 1999-10-16 |
| France | 28 – 19 | Fiji |
| Tries: Christophe Juillet, Christophe Dominici Con: Richard Dourthe (2) Pen: Richard Dourthe (2), Christophe Lamaison | Tries: Alfred Uluinayau Con: Nicky Little Pen: Nicky Little (4) |
| Stade de Toulouse Referee: Paddy O'Brien |
- Knock-out stages
- Quarter-final
| 1999-10-24 |
| France | 47 – 26 |  Argentina |
| Tries: Xavier Garbajosa (2), Philippe Bernat-Salles (2), Émile Ntamack Con: Christophe Lamaison (5) Pen: Christophe Lamaison (4) | Tries: Agustín Pichot, Lisandro Arbizu Con: Gonzalo Quesada (2) Pen: Gonzalo Quesada (3), Felipe Contepomi |
| Lansdowne Road, Dublin Attendance: 50,000 Referee: Derek Bevan |
- Semi-final
| 1999-10-31 |
| New Zealand | 31 – 43 | France |
| Tries: Jonah Lomu (2), Jeff Wilson Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4) | Tries:Christophe Lamaison, Christophe Dominici, Richard Dourthe, Philippe Bernat-Salles Con: Christophe Lamaison (4) Pen: Christophe Lamaison (3) Drop: Christophe Lamaison (2) |
| Twickenham, London Attendance: 75,000 Referee: Jim Fleming |
- Final
| 1999-11-06 |
| Australia | 35 – 12 | France |
| Tries: Ben Tune, Owen Finegan
Con: Matthew Burke (2) Pen: Matthew Burke (7) | Pen: Christophe Lamaison (4) |
| Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 74,500 Referee: André Watson |
2003
- Pool
| 2003-10-11 |
| France | 61 – 18 | Fiji |
| Tries: Dominici (2), Harinordoquy, Jauzion (3), Ibañez Con: Michalak (4) Pen: Michalak (6) | Tries: Naevo, Caucaunibuca Con: Little Pen: Little (2) |
| Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 46,795 Referee: Alain Rolland |
| 2003-10-18 |
| France | 51 – 29 | Japan |
| Tries: Michalak, Rougerie (2), Pelous, Dominici, Crenca Con: Michalak (5), Merceron Pen: Michalak (3) | Tries: Konia, Ohata Con: Kurihara (2) Pen: Kurihara (5) |
| Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 21,309 Referee: Alan Lewis |
| 2003-10-25 |
| France | 51 – 9 | Scotland |
| Tries: Betsen, Harinordoquy, Michalak, Galthié, Brusque Con: Michalak (3), Merceron Pen: Michalak (4) Drop: Michalak, Brusque | Pen: Paterson (3) |
| Telstra Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 78,974 Referee: David McHugh |
| 2003-10-31 |
| France | 41 – 14 |  United States |
| Tries: Liebenberg (3), Poux, Bru Con: Merceron (2) Pen: Merceron (3) Drop: Yachvili | Tries: Hercus, Schubert Con: Hercus (2) |
| WIN Stadium, Wollongong Attendance: 17,833 Referee: Paul Honiss |
- Knock-out stages
- Quarter-final
| 2003-11-09 |
| France | 43 – 21 |  Ireland |
| Tries: Magne 3' c Dominici 29' c Harinordoquy 33' c Crenca 47' c Con: Michalak (4) Pen: Michalak (5) | Tries: Maggs 52' c O'Driscoll (2) 65' c, 80+2' c Con: Humphreys (3) |
| Telstra Dome, Melbourne Attendance: 33,134 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan |
- Semi-final
| 2003-11-16 |
| France | 7 – 24 | England |
| Try: Betsen 10' c Con: Michalak | Pen: Wilkinson (5) Drop: Wilkinson (3) 9', 38', 58' |
| Telstra Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 82,346 Referee: Paddy O'Brien |
- Third-place play-off
| 2003-11-20 |
| New Zealand | 40 – 13 | France |
| Tries: Jack 12' c Howlett 20' c Rokocoko 51' c Thorn 54' c Muliaina 58' c Holah m Con: MacDonald Carter (4) | Try: Elhorga 42' c Con: Yachvili Pen: Yachvili Drop: Yachvili |
| Telstra Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 62,712 Referee: Chris White |
2007
- Pool
| 7 September 2007 21:00 |
| France | 12 – 17 | Argentina |
| Pen: Skrela (4/5) 7', 31', 40+', 60' | Report | Try: Corleto 27' m Pen: F. Contepomi (4/6) 5', 10', 24', 34' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 79,312 Referee: Tony Spreadbury |
| 16 September 2007 21:00 |
| France | 87 – 10 | Namibia |
| Tries: Heymans 7' m Marty 11' c Dusautoir 21' c Nallet (2) 32' c, 40+' c Clerc (3) 38' c, 59' c, 65' c Bonnaire 47' c Chabal (2) 49' c, 54' c Elissalde 56' c Ibañez 75' m Con: Elissalde (11/13) | Report | Try: Langenhoven 79' c Con: Losper (1/1) Drop: Wessels (1/1) 10' |
| Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 35,339 Referee: Alain Rolland |
| 21 September 2007 21:00 |
| France | 25 – 3 | Ireland |
| Tries: Clerc (2) 59' m, 69' m Pen: Elissalde (5/6) 7', 18', 22', 40+', 55' | Report | Drop: O'Gara (1/1) 37' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 80,267 Referee: Chris White |
| 30 September 2007 15:00 |
| France | 64 – 7 |  Georgia |
| Tries: Poitrenaud 6' c Nyanga 30' c Beauxis 37' c Dominici (2) 45' m, 57' m Bruno 52' c Nallet 63' c Martin 67' m Bonnaire 80' m Con: Beauxis (5/9) Pen: Beauxis (3/3) 4', 18', 24' | Report | Try: Z. Maisuradze 72' c Con: Urjukashvili (1/1) |
| Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 58,695 Referee: Alan Lewis |
- Knock-out stages
- Quarter-final
| 6 October 2007 21:00 |
| New Zealand | 18 – 20 | France |
| Tries: McAlister 17' c So'oialo 63' m Con: Carter (1/1) Pen: Carter (2/2) 14', 31' | Report | Tries: Dusautoir 54' c Jauzion 69' c Con: Beauxis (1/1) Élissalde (1/1) Pen: Beauxis (2/3) 40+', 46' |
| Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 71,669 Referee: Wayne Barnes |
- Semi-final
| 13 October 2007 21:00 |
| England | 14 – 9 | France |
| Try: Lewsey 2' m Pen: Wilkinson (2/3) 47', 75' Drop: Wilkinson (1/4) 78' | Report | Pen: Beauxis (3/3) 8', 18', 44' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 80,283 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan |
- Bronze final
| 19 October 2007 21:00 |
| France | 10 – 34 | Argentina |
| Try: Poitrenaud 69' c Con: Beauxis (1/1) Pen: Élissalde (1/1) 18' | Report | Tries: F. Contepomi (2) 28' c, 77' c Hasan Jalil 32' c Martín Aramburú 53' m Corleto 65' m Con: F. Contepomi (3/5) Pen: F. Contepomi (1/1) 21' |
| Parc des Princes, Paris Attendance: 45,958 Referee: Paul Honiss |
Hosting
The Rugby World Cup is held every four years, and tends to alternate between the northern and southern hemispheres. Every northern hemisphere tournament so far has been held in Europe, and in general, France usually hosts some games when it is held there.
1991 Rugby World Cup
England was main host in 1991, but other countries hosted some matches. France hosted Pool D, and two of the quarter-finals.
The following French stadiums were used (quarter final locations emboldened).
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | Parc des Princes | 48,712 |
| Toulouse | Stade Ernest-Wallon | 19,000 |
| Villeneuve d'Ascq | Stadium Lille-Metropole | 18,185 |
| Béziers | Stade de la Méditerranée | 18,000 |
| Brive | Parc Municipal des Sports | 16,000 |
| Grenoble | Stade Lesdiguières | 14,000 |
| Agen | Stade Armandie | 14,000 |
| Bayonne | Stade Jean Dauger | 13,500 |
1999 Rugby World Cup
Wales was main host in 1999. Pool C games were hosted in France.
The following French stadiums were used (quarter final locations emboldened).
| Venues | ||
|---|---|---|
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
| St-Denis | Stade de France | 80,000 |
| Lens | Stade Félix Bollaert | 41,800 |
| Bordeaux | Parc Lescure | 34,327 |
| Toulouse | Stade de Toulouse | 27,000 |
| Béziers | Stade de la Méditerranée | 25,000 |
2007 Rugby World Cup
France was main host for the 2007 RWC. Some games were also held in Scotland and Wales.
It was announced in April 2003 that France had won the right to host the tournament.[1] The tournament was moved to the proposed September–October dates with the tournament structure remaining as it was.[1] It was also announced that ten French cities would be hosting games, with the final at the Stade de France.[1] French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said that "this decision illustrates the qualities of our country and its capacity to host major sporting events...This World Cup will be the opportunity to showcase the regions of France where the wonderful sport of rugby is deeply rooted".[1] French Sports Minister Jean-François Lamour said that "The organisation of this World Cup will shine over all of France because ten French towns have the privilege of organising matches and to be in the world's spotlight."[1] French cities to host games are Bordeaux, Lens, Lyon, Marseilles, Montpellier, Nantes, St. Etienne, Toulouse and Paris, and it was also announced that the final would be at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.[1]
There was a substantial increase in the overall capacity of stadiums compared to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, as the smallest venue at the 2007 tournament will be 33,900. France won the right to host the event in 2003. Three matches were played at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, two Pool B games that featured Wales and as well as a quarter-final. Two Pool C matches were held at Edinburgh's Murrayfield. Ireland were also offered to host matches at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, but had to decline the offer as construction work was scheduled to begin on the stadium.[2] The semifinals and final were held at Stade de France, Saint-Denis.
The following stadiums were used (finals locations emboldened).
| City | Country | Stadium | Capacity | Further reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Denis | France | Stade de France | 80,000 | Overview |
| Marseille | France | Stade Vélodrome | 59,500 | Overview |
| Paris | France | Parc des Princes | 47,870 | Overview |
| Lens | France | Stade Félix-Bollaert | 41,400 | Overview |
| Lyon | France | Stade de Gerland | 41,100 | Overview |
| Nantes | France | Stade de la Beaujoire | 38,100 | Overview |
| Toulouse | France | Stadium de Toulouse | 35,700 | Overview |
| Saint-Étienne | France | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard | 35,650 | Overview |
| Bordeaux | France | Stade Chaban-Delmas | 34,440 | Overview |
| Montpellier | France | Stade de la Mosson | 33,900 | Overview |
Portrayal on screen
France can be seen playing South Africa in the feature film Invictus based on the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
References
- Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup (Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, (ISBN 1860746020)
- Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, (ISBN 0-642-36811-2)
- ^ a b c d e f "France wins right to host 2007 Rugby World Cup". rugby.com.au. 11 April 2003. Retrieved 7 October 2006.
- ^ "Scotland looks to give up World cup matches at Murrayfield". worldcupweb.com. Retrieved 7 May 2006.