France Rugby Team

France Rugby Union Team

History of rugby in France

The history of rugby in France started when the men’s France rugby union team, known as “Les Bleus” (The Blues in English), burst onto the international scene in the early twentieth century. They won rugby's first-ever gold medal at the Summer Olympics Games in Paris in 1900.

However, that victory was not considered as an official Test XV, with France’s first international match now credited as being a match against a touring New Zealand side in Paris in 1906. The France rugby team were admitted into what became known as the Five Nations Championship in 1908 but had to wait until 1954 to win their first championship although the title was shared that year with England and Wales.

Fédération Française de Rugby was formed in 1919 to govern the game in the republic, and they have been a member of World Rugby since 1978.

Winning habits

Despite making the Rugby World Cup final on no fewer than three occasions the France rugby squad have yet to win the tournament. They hosted the 2007 and 2023 Rugby World Cups.

France’s top domestic competition the Top 14, is where many of the world’s top players ply their trade. Stade Toulousain have won the European Rugby Champions Cup a record five times.

France rugby legands

The France rugby team have had 12 players inducted to the World Rugby Hall of Fame since 2007 including France’s record try scorer Serge Blanco (2011), legendary winger Philippe Sella (2008) and France’s record cap holder Fabien Pelous (2017).

Famous for their flair, expressive (and sometimes unconventional) playing style, the France rugby team are often viewed as a neutrals favourite amongst many within the sport. With former World Player of the Year and two-time Guinness Six Nations Player of the Tournament, Antoine Dupont in their ranks, they are arguably the best national side in the world.

Hospitality at France Rugby matches

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