The France national rugby team have competed in every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987. They are one of five teams who have played in the final match, having done so three times (1987, 1999 and 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 2023. They also co-hosted the 1991 competition with Ireland and the United Kingdom. They also staged some matches of the 1999 event, where the main host was Wales.
By position
By matches
1987
Pool
Knock-out stage Quarter-final
Semi-final
Final
1991
Pool
Knock-out stages Quarter-final
1995
Pool
Knock-out stages Quarter-final
Semi-final
Third-place play-off
1999
Pool
Knock-out stage Quarter-final
Semi-final
Final
2003
Pool
Knock-out stages Quarter-final
Semi-final
Third-place play-off
2007
Pool
Knock-out stages Quarter-final
Semi-final
Bronze final
2011
Pool
Knock-out stages Quarter-final
Semi-final
Final
2015
Pool Stage
19 September 201532–10Twickenham Stadium, London23 September 201538–11Olympic Stadium, London1 October 201541–18Stadium MK, Milton Keynes11 October 20159–24Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Quarter-final
2019
Notes: As a result of inclement weather caused by Typhoon Hagibis this match was cancelled and awarded as a 0–0 draw.
Quarter-final
2023
8 September 202327–13Stade de France, Saint-Denis14 September 202327–12Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq21 September 202396–0Stade de Marseille, Marseille6 October 202360–7Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu
Quarter-Final
Overall record
Against Played Win Draw Lost Win % 4 2 0 2 2 1 0 1 4 4 0 0 5 2 1 3 1 1 0 0 4 3 0 1 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 3 3 0 0 8 3 0 5 3 3 0 0 3 2 1 0 2 0 0 2 3 2 0 1 2 2 0 0 2 1 0 1 Overall
Hosting
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 in bold).
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. The tournament was moved to the proposed September–October dates with the tournament structure remaining as it was. It was also announced that ten French cities would be hosting games, with the final at the Stade de France. 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". 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." 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.
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. 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
2023 Rugby World Cup
France hosted 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
Bibliography Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup (Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, () Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, ()