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 playing Argentina during the 2007 Rugby World Cup tournament

By position

Host & Year	Round	Position	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA
1987	Runners-up	2nd	6	4	1	1	215	113
1991	Quarter-final	7th	4	3	0	1	92	44
1995	Third place	3rd	6	5	0	1	184	87
1999	Runners-up	2nd	6	5	0	1	210	144
2003	Fourth place	4th	7	5	0	2	267	155
2007	Fourth place	4th	7	4	0	3	227	103
2011	Runners-up	2nd	7	4	0	3	159	124
2015	Quarter-final	6th	5	3	0	2	133	125
2019
Total			48	33	1	14	1487	895

By matches

1987

Pool

1987-05-23

France	20 – 20	Scotland
Tries: Sella Berbizier Blanco Con: Blanco Pen: Blanco (2)		Tries: White Duncan Pen: Hastings (4)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Referee: Fred Howard

1987-05-28

France	55 – 12	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

1987-06-02

France	70 – 12	Zimbabwe
Tries: Modin (3) Camberabero (3) Charvet (2) Rodriguez (2) Durboca Esteve Laporte Con: Camberabero (9)		Try: Kaulbach Con: Grobler Pen: Grobler (2)

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Derek Bevan

Knock-out stages
Quarter-final

1987-06-07

Fiji	16 – 31	France
Tries: Qoro Damu Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua (2)		Tries: Rodriguez (2) Lorieux Lagisquet Con: Laporte (3) Pen: Laporte (2) Drop: Laporte

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Clive Norling

Semi-final

1987-06-13

Australia	24 – 30	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	29 – 9	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

1991-10-04

France	30 – 3	Romania
Tries: Roumat, Lafond, Penalty Try, Saint-André Con: Camberabero Pen: Camberabero (4)		Pen: Nichitean

Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers
Referee: Les Peard

1991-10-08

France	33 – 9	Fiji
Tries: Lafond (3), Sella (2), Camberabero Con: Camberabero (3) Pen: Camberabero		Tries: Naruma Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua

Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble
Referee: Derek Bevan

1991-10-13

France	19 – 13	Canada
Tries: Lafond, Saint-André Con: Camberabero Pen: Lacroix (2), Camberabero		Tries: Wyatt Pen: Wyatt, Rees Drop: Rees

Stade Armandie, Agen
Referee: Stephen Hilditch

Knock-out stages
Quarter-final

1991-10-19

France	10 – 19	England
Tries: Lafond Pen: Lacroix (2)		Tries: Underwood, Carling Con: Webb Pen: Webb (3)

Parc des Princes, Paris
Referee: David Bishop

1995

Pool

1995-05-26

France	38 – 10	Tonga
Tries: Thierry Lacroix (2), Aubin Hueber, Philippe Saint-André Con: Thierry Lacroix (3) Pen: Thierry Lacroix (3) Drop: Yann Delaigue		Tries: Tevita Va'enuku Con: Sateki Tu'ipulotu Pen: Sateki Tu'ipulotu

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Attendance: 25 000
Referee: Steve Lander

1995-05-30

France	54 – 18	Ivory Coast
Tries: Thierry Lacroix (2), Abdelatif Benazzi, William Téchoueyres, Sébastien Viars, Guy Accoceberry, Philippe Saint-André, Arnaud Costes Con: Christophe Deylaud (2), Thierry Lacroix (2) Pen: Thierry Lacroix (2)		Tries: Aboubacar Soulama, Aboubakar Camara Con: Victor Kouassi Pen: Victor Kouassi (2)

Olympia Park, Rustenburg
Attendance: 17 000
Referee: Han Moon-Soo

1995-06-03

France	22 – 19	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	36 – 12	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

1995-06-17

South Africa	19 – 15	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

1995-06-22

France	19 – 9	England
Tries: Olivier Roumat, Émile Ntamack Pens: Thierry Lacroix (3)		Pens: Rob Andrew (3)

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: David Bishop

1999

Pool

1999-10-02

France	33 – 20	Canada
Tries: Émile Ntamack, Stéphane Glas, Thomas Castaignède, Olivier Magne Con: Richard Dourthe (2) Pen: Richard Dourthe (3)		Tries: Morgan Williams (2) Con: Robert Ross, Gareth Rees Pen: Robert Ross, Gareth Rees

Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers
Referee: Brian Campsall

1999-10-08

France	47 – 13	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)

Parc Lescure, Bordeaux
Referee: Chris White

1999-10-16

France	28 – 19	Fiji
Tries: Christophe Juillet, Christophe Dominici Con: Richard Dourthe (2) Pen: Richard Dourthe (2), Christophe Lamaison		Tries: Alfred Uluinayau Con: Nicky Little Pen: Nicky Little (4)

Stade de Toulouse
Referee: Paddy O'Brien

Knock-out stages
Quarter-final

1999-10-24

France	47 – 26	Argentina
Tries: Xavier Garbajosa (2), Philippe Bernat-Salles (2), Émile Ntamack Con: Christophe Lamaison (5) Pen: Christophe Lamaison (4)		Tries: Agustín Pichot, Lisandro Arbizu Con: Gonzalo Quesada (2) Pen: Gonzalo Quesada (3), Felipe Contepomi

Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Derek Bevan

Semi-final

1999-10-31

New Zealand	31 – 43	France
Tries: Jonah Lomu (2), Jeff Wilson Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)		Tries:Christophe Lamaison, Christophe Dominici, Richard Dourthe, Philippe Bernat-Salles Con: Christophe Lamaison (4) Pen: Christophe Lamaison (3) Drop: Christophe Lamaison (2)

Twickenham, London
Attendance: 75,000
Referee: Jim Fleming

Final

1999-11-06

Australia	35 – 12	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

2003-10-11

France	61 – 18	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	51 – 29	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	51 – 9	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	41 – 14	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	43 – 21	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	7 – 24	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	40 – 13	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

7 September 2007
21:00

France	12 – 17	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	87 – 10	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	25 – 3	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	64 – 7	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. Maisuradze 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	18 – 20	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	14 – 9	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	10 – 34	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

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'

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 28,569
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

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)

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)

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
Paris	Parc des Princes	48,712
Toulouse	Stade Ernest-Wallon	19,000
Villeneuve d'Ascq	Stadium Lille-Metropole	18,185
Béziers	Stade de la Méditerranée	18,000
Brive	Parc Municipal des Sports	16,000
Grenoble	Stade Lesdiguières	14,000
Agen	Stade Armandie	14,000
Bayonne	Stade Jean Dauger	13,500

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
City	Stadium	Capacity
St-Denis	Stade de France	80,000
Lens	Stade Félix Bollaert	41,800
Bordeaux	Parc Lescure	34,327
Toulouse	Stade de Toulouse	27,000
Béziers	Stade de la Méditerranée	25,000

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.^[1] The tournament was moved to the proposed September–October dates with the tournament structure remaining as it was.^[1] It was also announced that ten French cities would be hosting games, with the final at the Stade de France.^[1] 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".^[1] 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."^[1] 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.^[1]

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.^[2] 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-Denis	France	Stade de France	80,000	Overview
Marseille	France	Stade Vélodrome	59,500	Overview
Paris	France	Parc des Princes	47,870	Overview
Lens	France	Stade Félix-Bollaert	41,400	Overview
Lyon	France	Stade de Gerland	41,100	Overview
Nantes	France	Stade de la Beaujoire	38,100	Overview
Toulouse	France	Stadium de Toulouse	35,700	Overview
Saint-Étienne	France	Stade Geoffroy-Guichard	35,650	Overview
Bordeaux	France	Stade Chaban-Delmas	34,440	Overview
Montpellier	France	Stade de la Mosson	33,900	Overview

Portrayal on screen

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

References

Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup (Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, (ISBN 1860746020)
Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, (ISBN 0-642-36811-2)

1 2 3 4 5 6 "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.
↑ "Scotland looks to give up World cup matches at Murrayfield". worldcupweb.com. Retrieved 7 May 2006.

National team appearances in the Rugby World Cup by tier
Tier 1 teams	Argentina Australia England France Ireland Italy New Zealand Scotland South Africa Wales
Tier 2 teams	Canada Fiji Georgia Japan Namibia Portugal Romania Russia Samoa Spain Tonga United States Uruguay
Tier 3 teams	Ivory Coast Zimbabwe

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