France Rugby Shirt 2003

For this World Cup in Australia, Les Bleus, coached by Bernard Laporte, are fielding a strong team with Michalak and Galthié in the halfbacks, a dream back row of Betsen, Harinordoquy and Magne, Dominici and Rougerie on the wings, Jauzion, Marsh, Pelous, Ibanez, Brouzet... In short, they have what it takes to give the other teams a run for their money.

In fact, everything went perfectly during the group stage, with Les Bleus dominating their group by beating Fiji, Japan, Scotland and the United States with bonus points.

The quarter-final against Ireland reinforced France's ambitions with a convincing 43-21 victory.

And then disaster struck in the semi-final, embodied by our English "friends" and their legendary fly-half Johnny Wilkinson, who racked up five penalties and three drop goals. We lost 7-24 in the rain and wind, which inevitably suited the English better. Damn it!