France is one of the top rugby playing nations in the northern hemisphere and are eager to win a first Rugby World Cup.
Marc Lievremont's last match in charge of France ended with a narrow 8-7 defeat to New Zealand in a gripping World Cup final which ensured the beleaguered coach can leave international rugby with his pride intact.
France were left cursing the absence of a stroke or two of good fortune after losing 8-7 to New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final here on Sunday.
Richie McCaw spoke of his pride after New Zealand ended their 24-year wait to regain the World Cup with a hard-fought 8-7 victory over France.
Finally the French turned up at the World Cup just in time for the final where they ran hosts New Zealand ever so close, going down 8-7 at Eden Park in Auckland.
New Zealand ended 24 years of hurt by being crowned world champions with an 8-7 victory over battling France at Eden Park on Sunday.
Again this weekend there were shocks - Agen's massive win over Stade Français, Toulon's victory in Paris, Clermont's massive win in Perpignan, and Brive, of whom so little had been expected, in such a powerful win.
Dave Ellis has urged France to up the ante in the World Cup final against New Zealand and see how the All Blacks cope under sustained pressure.
French sports daily l'Equipe on Saturday devoted its entire front page to 50 reasons why France should set its alarm early on Sunday morning to watch the World Cup Final against New Zealand.
Nicolas Mas says France must be equal to the fearsome challenge posed by New Zealand's pack if they are to win Sunday's World Cup final.
Marc Lievremont has only one wish left heading into the World Cup Final against New Zealand - to wake up with a hangover on Monday as the first French coach to win the global showpiece.
Underdogs France are confident they will pose New Zealand problems in Sunday's World Cup Final and have dismissed suggestions that they will resort to dirty tactics in a bid for an unlikely triumph.
For the third time since 1945 Clermont beat Perpignan in Perpignan and this time they thumped them - 39-3, scoring five tries to none, as the Catalan's nightmare of recent weeks continues.
France wing Vincent Clerc insists that Sunday's showdown with host nation New Zealand is "a dream final" for Les Bleus.
Joël Jutge and David Ellis seem like an odd couple in France's preparations for Sunday's World Cup Final against the All Blacks.
France's path to the World Cup final at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday!
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