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Latest News
Rugby World Cup 2021 Draw

RWC 2021

Tue 2 March, 2021

Rugby World Cup 2021 statement

World Rugby has made the difficult decision to recommend the postponement of Rugby World Cup 2021, scheduled to be hosted in New Zealand between 18 September-16 October, until next year.
Springbok Women

RWC 2021

Tue 23 February, 2021

Springbok Women ready to step out of the shadows at Rugby World Cup 2021

South Africa’s new women’s rugby high performance manager Lynne Cantwell hopes Rugby World Cup 2021 will help inspire a new generation of players.
Kelly Brazier playing Hong Kong at RWC 2017

RWC 2021

Tue 23 February, 2021

Kelly Brazier “pumped” ahead of potential Olympic-Rugby World Cup double

We caught up with the two-time Rugby World Cup winner, who is hoping to play at both Tokyo 2020 and New Zealand 2021.
Women's International: Spain v Scotland

Rugby World Cup 2021

Thu 18 February, 2021

Women’s Rugby Europe Championship: Spain ready to start their road to Rugby World Cup 2021

Las Leonas have a key game against Russia this weekend in Guadalajara in the Women’s Rugby Europe Championship, aiming to continue chasing their dream of qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2021.
Bella Milo playing for Valley

Women in Rugby

Wed 17 February, 2021

Bella Milo: Rugby World Cup 2021 could have huge impact on women’s rugby in Hong Kong and Pacific Islands

The Samoa fly-half talks to World Rugby about New Zealand 2021, coaching and how she hopes to “give back” to the game.
Latest Videos
WR-WC2021-Announcement
01:31 mins

RWC 2021

Tue 2 March, 2021

Alan Gilpin on Rugby World Cup 2021 recommendation

World Rugby Interim Chief Executive Alan Gilpin explains the recommendation to postpone Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand until next year.
WR awards thumb
1:36:38 mins

Awards

Mon 7 December, 2020

World Rugby Awards Special Edition - watch the whole show

Re-live the World Rugby Awards Special Edition and find out the winners of the Player, Try and Team of the Decade 2010-19 for both men and women, plus celebrate rugby's heroes of COVID-19.
Full Draw ceremony for Rugby World Cup 2021
27:21 mins

RWC 2021

Thu 19 November, 2020

Full Draw ceremony for Rugby World Cup 2021

Live show hosts and interviewers react post-draw
01:20 mins

Thu 19 November, 2020

Live show hosts and interviewers react post-draw

Live programme hosts Elma Smit and Ugo Monye spoke with New Zealand broadcasters and co-hosts Karl Tenana and Rikki Swannell after the draw.
Alycia Washington USA post-draw interview
03:04 mins

Thu 19 November, 2020

Alycia Washington USA post-draw interview

RWC 2021
Monday 16 November, 2020

RWC 2021 Spotlight: France

Presented By
We continue our countdown to the Rugby World Cup 2021 Draw by taking a look at France’s history in the tournament
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France have reached the semi-finals in seven of the eight Rugby World Cups to date, but they have never been able to reach the title decider, instead having to settle for the bronze medal on no fewer than six occasions, including at Ireland 2017.

We take a look back at France’s Rugby World Cup story.

RWC debut: 6 April, 1991 v Japan at Diamond Ground, Cardiff

RWC appearances: Played 37 – Won 25, Drawn 0, Lost 12 – Points for 974, Points against 441 – Win ratio 68 per cent

Best finish: Third, 1991 (joint), 1994, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2017

Qualification for RWC 2021: Bronze medallist at RWC 2017

Most memorable match: French fans had high hopes going into their semi-final against Canada at RWC 2014. Following semi-final defeats to New Zealand at each of the previous three tournaments, the hosts went into the knockout stage as top seeds. However, when Magali Harvey scored and converted the try of the tournament early in the second half, Canada held an 18-6 lead. Willed on by a vociferous home crowd, France gained a foothold in the match and scored tries through Safi N’Diaye and Assa Koita in the final quarter. Sandrine Agricole was unable to convert either, though, and the Canadians held on to win 18-16.

Iconic moment: France made the most of home advantage in the RWC 2014 bronze final, edging themselves 20-18 in front of Ireland with time running out at Stade Jean Bouin. It was then that Elodie Guiglion received the ball on the left wing. A sublime step off her right foot took three Irish defenders out of the game and opened up a gap through which the winger powered to score her second try of the match and put gloss on a 25-18 victory.

Low point: Canada have proved to be something of a bogey team for France at Rugby World Cup. It was the North Americans who condemned Les Bleues to their worst tournament result, when they beat them in the quarter-finals of RWC 1998. Although France full-back Annick Hayraud scored and converted the only try of the game, it was Canada who emerged victorious 9-7, thanks to three Moira Shiels penalties.

Iconic player: Nathalie Amiel made her international debut at the age of just 15, when France played Great Britain at Richmond in 1986. It was the start of a 16-year test career, in which she represented her country at three Rugby World Cups and amassed 56 caps. Amiel captained Les Bleues at RWC 2002, leading the team to third place. As co-head coach, Amiel helped steered France to a Six Nations grand slam and victory in the RWC 2014 bronze final.

Did you know? France were the 12th and final team to confirm their entry for the inaugural women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991. The tournament’s organisers were made aware of France’s decision only minutes before the official draw was due to take place.

Quote: “The [RWC] that gave me my best memory was the last one as a player, in 2002 in Spain. My family was in the stands. Overall, I preferred to experience a Rugby World Cup as a player instead of a coach. Coaching means spending more time in front of a computer than on the field.” – World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Nathalie Amiel reflects on her Rugby World Cup journey.

Read more: Fiji – South Africa – Wales – USA – Australia 

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