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. France will host again in 2023.

France playing Argentina during the 2007 Rugby World Cup tournament

By position

Rugby World Cup
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA Squad
1987 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 215 113 Squad
1991 Quarter-finals 4 3 0 1 92 44 Squad
1995 Third Place 6 5 0 1 184 87 Squad
1999 Runners-up 6 5 0 1 210 144 Squad
2003 Fourth Place 7 5 0 2 267 155 Squad
2007 Fourth Place 7 4 0 3 227 103 Squad
2011 Runners-up 7 4 0 3 159 124 Squad
2015 Quarter-finals 5 3 0 2 133 125 Squad
2019 Quarter-finals 4 3 0 1 98 71 Squad
2023
Total Runners-up 52 36 1 15 1585 966
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue

By matches

1987

Pool
Team
P W D L PF PA tries Pts
 France 321014544255
 Scotland 321013569225
 Romania 31026113052
 Zimbabwe 30035315150
23 May 1987
France  2020  Scotland
Tries: Sella
Berbizier
Blanco
Con: Blanco
Pen: Blanco (2)
Tries: White
Duncan
Pen: Hastings (4)
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Referee: Fred Howard

28 May 1987
France  5512  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

2 June 1987
France  7012  Zimbabwe
Tries: Modin (3)
Camberabero (3)
Charvet (2)
Rodriguez (2)
Durboca
Estève
Laporte
Con: Camberabero (9)
Try: Kaulbach
Con: Grobler
Pen: Grobler (2)

Knock-out stages
Quarter-final
7 June 1987
Fiji  1631  France
Tries: Qoro
Damu
Con: Koroduadua
Pen: Koroduadua (2)
Tries: Rodriguez (2)
Lorieux
Lagisquet
Con: Laporte (3)
Pen: Laporte (2)
Drop: Laporte

Semi-final
13 June 1987
Australia  2430  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  299  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
Team
P W D L PF PA Pts
 France 330082256
 Canada 320145334
 Romania 310231642
 Fiji 300327630
4 October 1991
France  303  Romania
Tries: Roumat, Lafond, Penalty Try, Saint-André
Con: Camberabero
Pen: Camberabero (4)
Pen: Nichitean

8 October 1991
France  339  Fiji
Tries: Lafond (3), Sella (2), Camberabero
Con: Camberabero (3)
Pen: Camberabero
Tries: Naruma
Con: Koroduadua
Pen: Koroduadua

13 October 1991
France  1913  Canada
Tries: Lafond, Saint-André
Con: Camberabero
Pen: Lacroix (2), Camberabero
Tries: Wyatt
Pen: Wyatt, Rees
Drop: Rees

Knock-out stages
Quarter-final
19 October 1991
France  1019  England
Tries: Lafond
Pen: Lacroix (2)
Tries: Underwood, Carling
Con: Webb
Pen: Webb (3)


1995

Pool
Team
P W D L PF PA Pts
 France 3300114479
 Scotland 3201149277
 Tonga 310244905
 Ivory Coast 3003291723
26 May 1995
France  3810  Tonga
Tries: Thierry Lacroix (2), Aubin Hueber, Philippe Saint-André
Con: Thierry Lacroix (3)
Pen: Thierry Lacroix (3)
Drop: Yann Delaigue
Tries: Tevita Vaʻenuku
Con: Sateki Tu'ipulotu
Pen: Sateki Tu'ipulotu
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Attendance: 25 000
Referee: Steve Lander


3 June 1995
France  2219  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  3612  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
17 June 1995
South Africa  1915  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
22 June 1995
France  199  England
Tries: Olivier Roumat, Émile Ntamack
Pens: Thierry Lacroix (3)
Pens: Rob Andrew (3)
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Dave Bishop


1999

Pool
Team
P W D L PF PA Pts
 France 3300108529
 Fiji 3201124687
 Canada 3102114825
 Namibia 3003421863

1999-10-08
France  4713  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)


Knock-out stages
Quarter-final

Semi-final

Final
1999-11-06
Australia  3512  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
Team
Pld W D L PF PA BP Pts
 France 440020470420
 Scotland 430110297214
 Fiji 420298114210
 United States 41038612526
 Japan 40047916300
2003-10-11
France  6118  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  5129  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  519  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  4114  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  4321 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  724  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  4013  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
Team
Pld W D L TF PF PA +/ BP Pts
 Argentina 44001614333+110218
 France 43012418837+151315
 Ireland 420296482−1819
 Georgia 4103550111−6115
 Namibia 4004330212−18200
7 September 2007
21:00
France  1217  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  8710  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  253 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  647  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. Maissuradze 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  1820  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  149  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  1034  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


2011

Pool
Team
Pld W D L TF PF PA +/ BP Pts
 New Zealand 44003624049+191420
 France 42021312496+28311
 Tonga 4202780981819
 Canada 41129821688606
 Japan 401386918411502
10 September 2011
18:00
France  47–21  Japan
Try: Pierre 5' c
Trinh-Duc 12' c
Clerc 34' m
Nallet 71' c
Papé 77' c
Parra 80+' m
Con: Yachvili (4/6)
Pen: Yachvili (3/3) 21', 28', 67'
Report Try: Arlidge (2) 31' m, 49' c
Con: Arlidge (1/2)
Pen: Arlidge (3/3) 18', 40', 58'

18 September 2011
20:30
France  46–19  Canada
Try: Clerc (3) 4' c, 79' c, 80+' c
Traille 64' c
Con: Parra (4/4)
Pen: Parra (5/6) 17', 37', 39', 40+', 48'
Drop: Trinh-Duc 57'
Report Try: Smith 7' c
Con: Pritchard (1/1)
Pen: Pritchard (2/4) 3', 60'
Drop: Monro (2) 44', 49'
McLean Park, Napier
Attendance: 14,230
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

24 September 2011
20:30
New Zealand  37–17  France
Try: Thomson 10' m
Jane 17' c
Dagg (2) 21', 42' c
S. Williams 77' m
Con: Carter (3/5)
Pen: Carter (1/1) 48'
Drop: Carter (1/1) 64'
Report Try: Mermoz 54' c
Trinh-Duc 76' c
Con: Yachvili (2/2)
Pen: Yachvili (1/1) 39'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 60,856
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

1 October 2011
18:00
France  14–19  Tonga
Try: Clerc 80+' m
Pen: Yachvili (3/3) 2', 23', 50'
Report Try: Hufanga 26' c
Con: Morath (1/1)
Pen: Morath (4/8) 7', 36', 67', 73'
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 32,763
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Knock-out stages
Quarter-final
8 October 2011
20:30 NZDT (UTC+13)
England  12–19  France
Try: Foden 55' c
Cueto 77' m
Con: Wilkinson (1/2)
Try: Clerc 22' m
Médard 31' m
Pen: Yachvili (2/3) 11', 16'
Drop: Trinh-Duc (1/1) 73'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 49,105
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Semi-final
15 October 2011
21:00 NZDT (UTC+13)
Wales  8–9  France
Try: Phillips 58' m
Pen: Hook (1/3) 8'
Report Pen: Parra (3/3) 22', 35', 51'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 58,630
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Final
23 October 2011
21:00 NZDT (UTC+13)
France  7–8  New Zealand
Try: Dusautoir 47' c
Con: Trinh-Duc (1/1)
Report Try: Woodcock 15' m
Pen: Donald (1/1) 46'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 61,079
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)


2015

Pool Stage

Team
Pld W D L TF PF PA +/ BP Pts
 Ireland 44001613435+99218
 France 43011212063+57214
 Italy 420277488–14210
 Romania 4103760129–6904
 Canada 4004758131–7322
19 September 2015France 32–10 ItalyTwickenham Stadium, London
23 September 2015France 38–11 RomaniaOlympic Stadium, London
1 October 2015France 41–18 CanadaStadium MK, Milton Keynes
11 October 2015France 9–24 IrelandMillennium Stadium, Cardiff

Quarter final

17 October 2015
20:00 BST (UTC+01)
New Zealand  62–13  France
Try: Retallick 11' c
Milner-Skudder 23' c
Savea (3) 29' c, 38' m, 59' c
Kaino 50' m
Read 64' c
Kerr-Barlow (2) 68' c, 71' c
Con: Carter (7/9) 12', 25', 31', 60', 65', 68', 72'
Pen: Carter (1/1) 7'
Report Try: Picamoles 36' c
Con: Parra (1/1) 37'
Pen: Spedding (1/1) 9'
Parra (1/2) 15'
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 71,619
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)


2019

Team
Pld W D L TF PF PA +/ BP Pts
 England 43101711920+99317
 France 431097951+28115
 Argentina 42021410691+15311
 Tonga 4103967105−3826
 United States 4004752156−10400
21 September 2019
16:15 JST (UTC+09)
France  23–21  Argentina (1 BP)
Try: Fickou 18' c
Dupont 22' c
Con: Ntamack (2/2) 19', 23'
Pen: Ntamack (2/3) 30', 40+1'
Drop: Lopez (1/1) 70'
Report Try: Petti Pagadizábal 42' c
Montoya 54' m
Con: Sánchez (1/2) 43'
Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 15'
Urdapilleta (2/2) 61', 69'
Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu
Attendance: 40,004
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

2 October 2019
16:45 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) France  33–9  United States
Try: Huget 6' c
Raka 24' m
Fickou 67' c
Serin 70' c
Poirot 79' c
Con: Ramos (1/2) 8'
Lopez (3/3) 68', 71', 80'+1
Report Pen: MacGinty (3/3) 19', 31', 65'

6 October 2019
16:45 JST (UTC+09)
France  23–21  Tonga (1 BP)
Try: Vakatawa 6' c
Raka 32' c
Con: Ntamack (2/2) 7', 34'
Pen: Ntamack (3/4) 4', 52', 60'
Report Try: Takulua 40' c
Hingano 47' c
Kapeli 79' c
Con: Takulua (2/2) 40'+1, 49'
Fosita (1/1) 80'
Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto
Attendance: 28,477
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

12 October 2019
17:15 JST (UTC+09)
England  0–0
(Cancelled)
 France

Notes:

  • As a result of inclement weather caused by Typhoon Hagibis this match was cancelled and awarded as a 0–0 draw.[1]

Quarter-final

20 October 2019
16:15 JST (UTC+09)
Wales  20–19  France
Try: Wainwright 12' c
Moriarty 74' c
Con: Biggar (2/2) 13', 75'
Pen: Biggar (2/2) 20', 54'
Report Try: Vahaamahina 5' m
Ollivon 8' c
Vakatawa 31' c
Con: Ntamack (2/3) 9', 32'
Ōita Stadium, Ōita
Attendance: 34,426
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Hosting

The Eiffel Tower in Paris decorated with a giant rugby ball for the 2007 Rugby World Cup

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
ParisParc des Princes48,712
ToulouseStade Ernest-Wallon19,000
Villeneuve d'AscqStadium Lille-Metropole18,185
BéziersStade de la Méditerranée18,000
BriveParc Municipal des Sports16,000
GrenobleStade Lesdiguières14,000
AgenStade Armandie14,000
BayonneStade Jean Dauger13,500

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
CityStadiumCapacity
St-DenisStade de France80,000
LensStade Félix Bollaert41,800
BordeauxParc Lescure34,327
ToulouseStade de Toulouse27,000
BéziersStade de la Méditerranée25,000

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.[2] The tournament was moved to the proposed September–October dates with the tournament structure remaining as it was.[2] It was also announced that ten French cities would be hosting games, with the final at the Stade de France.[2] 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".[2] 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."[2] 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.[2]

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.[3] 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-DenisFranceStade de France80,000 Overview
MarseilleFranceStade Vélodrome59,500 Overview
ParisFranceParc des Princes47,870 Overview
LensFranceStade Félix-Bollaert41,400Overview
LyonFranceStade de Gerland41,100Overview
NantesFranceStade de la Beaujoire38,100Overview
ToulouseFranceStadium de Toulouse35,700Overview
Saint-ÉtienneFranceStade Geoffroy-Guichard35,650Overview
BordeauxFranceStade Chaban-Delmas34,440Overview
MontpellierFranceStade de la Mosson33,900Overview

2023 Rugby World Cup

France will host the Rugby World Cup outright for the second time in 2023, however, hosting for the fourth time in total.

Portrayal on screen

France can be seen playing South Africa in the feature film Invictus based on the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

References

  1. "Typhoon Hagibis impact on Rugby World Cup 2019 matches". Rugby World Cup. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  2. "France wins right to host 2007 Rugby World Cup". rugby.com.au. 11 April 2003. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2006.
  3. "Scotland looks to give up World cup matches at Murrayfield". worldcupweb.com. Retrieved 7 May 2006.

Bibliography

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