Sports After Dark

The contenders’ keys to victory: France

Posted by Hamish McBrearty on August 9th, 2007

Today the Keys to Victory shifts focus from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere who have at least two teams capable of winning the Rugby World Cup. The first of those is the hosts France, who won this year’s Six Nations championship and could easily carry on their winning ways.

This year’s Six Nations was one of the closest ever, with four teams having a chance to claim the title on the final day of the tournament. France came out victorious on points difference, a mere four points, over the Irish to take the trophy which will boost their confidence going into this tournament at home.

1. Focus. Traditionally the French team have struggled to focus solely on rugby, especially when playing at home. The fact that only two host nations have won the World Cup shows just how difficult it is for home teams to achieve this focus. Of course if Bernard Laporte can get his team focussed, they can demolish any other team in the world - as the 1999 All Blacks discovered.

2. Winning their pool. This may seem obvious, but Pool D is the toughest group at the Rugby World Cup and the runner up will likely face the All Blacks in the quarter finals. The winner of the pool will likely face either Scotland or Italy who will be a much simpler prospect. To win their pool, France must beat Argentina in the tournament opener, then Ireland two weeks later. A loss or even a draw in either of those games could see a clash with the All Blacks earlier than either team would like.

3. Sebastian Chabal. Dubbed “The Caveman” by fans, Chabal shone out like a beacon when the second string French side toured New Zealand and showed how dangerous his bustling runs can be when All Black Ali Williams broke his jaw while attempting stop him. Chabal will need to carry the ball, both close to the ruck and out wide, to help set up the men outside him.

4. Frederic Michalak. Every Rugby World Cup has come down to high pressure goal kicking and this year will be no different. If France are to claim their first ever William Webb Ellis trophy, they will need Michalak at his most accurate best. Now looking comfortable at fly half after moving out from half back, when Michalak struggles, France struggle. He also goes into this tournament fresh after missing the entire Six Nations following knee surgery.

France have a deep and explosive side and do not really rely on any one player besides Michalak for their success. The draw has been very kind to them as well, if they beat Argentina in the tournament opener they then have two weeks to prepare for the Irish, and then can look forward to a likely semi final showdown with the Springboks. The French know they have the team physically capable of winning this tournament, they just need to work on the mental side to succeed.

Next: Ireland. Can the men from the Emerald Isles turn the rest of the rugby world green with envy?