France

Get ready rugby fans, because the countdown to the highly anticipated Rugby World Cup 2023 has begun! With teams from all over the globe gearing up for this prestigious tournament, there’s one team that always manages to capture our attention with their flair and passion – France. Known for their captivating style of play and fearless approach on the field, Les Bleus are set to make a statement in this year’s competition. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what France has been up to since the last Rugby World Cup, highlight some key players to watch out for, Team Squad, upcoming matches schedule, delve into their game plan and tactics, and explore expert predictions on how they will perform in Rugby World Cup 2023. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into everything you need to know about France’s journey towards rugby glory!

Team Squad

Looseheads

Cyril Baille (Toulouse)
Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon)
Reda Wardi (La Rochelle)

Hookers

Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle)
Julien Marchand (Toulouse)
Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse)

Tightheads

Uini Atonio (La Rochelle)
Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse)
Sipili Falatea (Bordeaux)
Demba Bamba (Lyon)

Second-rows

Bastien Chalureau (Montpellier)
Thibaud Flament (Toulouse)
Romain Taofifenua (Lyon)
Paul Willemse (Montpellier)
Cameron Woki (Racing)
Florian Verhaeghe (Montpellier)

Back-rows

Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle)
Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle)
François Cros (Toulouse)
Sekou Macalou (Stade Français)
Charles Ollivon (Toulon)
Yoan Tanga (La Rochelle)
Dylan Cretin (Lyon)

Scrum-half

Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Bègles)
Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon)
Baptiste Serin (Toulon)

Fly-half

Antoine Hastoy (La Rochelle)
Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Bègles)
Romain Ntamack (Toulouse)

Centres

Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle)
Gaël Fickou (Racing)
Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Bègles)
Émilien Gailleton (Pau)
Arthur Vincent (Montpellier)

Wingers

Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Bègles)
Ethan Dumortier (Lyon)
Damian Penaud (Bordeaux-Bègles)
Gabin Villière (Toulon)

Full-backs

Brice Dulin (La Rochelle)
Melvyn Jaminet (Toulouse)
Thomas Ramos (Toulouse).

Latest News

What has France been up to since the last Rugby World Cup?

Since the last Rugby World Cup in 2019, France has been busy building their team and preparing for the upcoming tournament in 2023. The French rugby union has focused on developing young talent and creating a strong squad capable of competing at the highest level.

One of the key developments since the last World Cup is the appointment of Fabien Galthié as head coach. Galthié brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played for France himself and coached top clubs like Toulon. Under his guidance, France has shown promising signs with improved performances in recent matches.

In terms of player development, several young talents have emerged onto the scene since 2019. Players like Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, and Damian Penaud have become integral parts of the French setup. Their skills and performances have earned them recognition both domestically and internationally.

France has also focused on fostering a sense of unity within their team. They understand that success in rugby comes not only from individual talent but also from teamwork and camaraderie. This emphasis on team spirit has helped create a positive atmosphere within their camp.

France’s efforts since the last Rugby World Cup reflect their determination to improve and succeed in future tournaments. With a talented squad led by experienced coaching staff under Fabien Galthié’s leadership – there is an air of excitement surrounding Les Bleus as they gear up for what promises to be an exciting campaign at Rugby World Cup 2023!

Key Players

France boasts a formidable lineup of players heading into the Rugby World Cup 2023. With their mix of experience and raw talent, they are set to make a big impact on the tournament.

First up is Antoine Dupont, France’s star scrum-half. Known for his lightning-fast speed and exceptional decision-making skills, Dupont has been instrumental in leading France’s attacking plays. Alongside him is Romain Ntamack, an exciting young fly-half with incredible vision and accuracy in kicking.

In the forwards, we have Bernard Le Roux, who brings physicality and aggression to France’s pack. His ability to dominate opponents at the breakdown makes him a key asset for Les Bleus. Another standout player is Gregory Alldritt, a dynamic number eight known for his powerful ball carries and relentless work rate.

Moving out wide, Damian Penaud provides flair and creativity as a skilled winger who can break through defenses with ease. Meanwhile, Virimi Vakatawa is an explosive center with deceptive footwork that often leaves defenders scrambling.

These key players form just a small part of France’s talented squad brimming with potential. With their individual strengths combined under the guidance of coach Fabien Galthié, they are poised to challenge any opposition they face in this highly anticipated rugby tournament.

Gameplan for Rugby World cup 2023

France’s game plan for the Rugby World Cup revolves around their fast and expansive style of play. They aim to utilize their talented backline to create scoring opportunities and keep the opposition on the backfoot. Their strategy involves quick ball movement, offloading in contact, and clever interplay between forwards and backs.

In attack, France will look to unleash their fleet-footed backs such as Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud, and Virimi Vakatawa. These players possess exceptional speed, agility, and creativity which allows them to break through defenses and generate try-scoring opportunities.

Their forward pack plays a crucial role in providing a solid foundation for attacking moves. The French forwards are known for their physicality at the breakdowns and set pieces. They will focus on winning turnovers, dominating scrums, lineouts, while also looking to disrupt the opposition’s possession.

Prediction for RWC 2023

Experts have varying opinions on how France will perform in the Rugby World Cup. Some believe that with their talented squad and strong performances in recent years, France has a real chance of going all the way. They have shown great improvement under head coach Fabien Galthié and have been building momentum leading up to the tournament.

One key factor that experts point out is France’s home advantage. Being hosts of the tournament, they will have passionate support from their fans, which can play a significant role in boosting team morale and performance. Additionally, playing on familiar grounds may give them an edge over their opponents.

However, there are also concerns about France’s inconsistency in previous tournaments. While they possess immense talent, they haven’t always managed to translate it into consistent results on the field. This unpredictability makes it hard for experts to confidently predict their success.

Furthermore, injuries could potentially impact France’s campaign. If key players get injured before or during the tournament, it could significantly weaken their chances of progressing deep into the competition.