France at the Rugby World Cup

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 playing Argentina during the 2007 Rugby World Cup 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.

By position

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Rugby World Cup record
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA Squad Head coach
   1987 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 215 113 Squad J. Fouroux
      1991 Quarter-finals 4 3 0 1 92 44 Squad D. Dubroca
  1995 Third place 6 5 0 1 184 87 Squad P. Berbizier
  1999 Runners-up 6 5 0 1 210 144 Squad J. Skrela
  2003 Fourth place 7 5 0 2 267 155 Squad B. Laporte
  2007 Fourth place 7 4 0 3 227 103 Squad
  2011 Runners-up 7 4 0 3 159 124 Squad M. Lièvremont
  2015 Quarter-finals 5 3 0 2 133 125 Squad P. Saint-André
  2019 Quarter-finals 4 3 0 1 98 71 Squad J. Brunel
  2023 Quarter-finals 5 4 0 1 238 61 Squad F. Galthié
Total Runners-up (3) 57 40 1 16 1,823 1027
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place
* Green border colour indicates tournament was held on home soil. ** Some matches of the 1999 tournament were held on home soil.

Correct as of 10 November 2023.

By matches

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1987

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Pool
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD T Pts Qualification
  France 3 2 1 0 145 44 +101 25 5[a] Knockout stage
  Scotland 3 2 1 0 135 69 +66 22 5[a]
  Romania 3 1 0 2 61 130 −69 6 2
  Zimbabwe 3 0 0 3 53 151 −98 5 0
Source: [citation needed]
Notes:
  1. ^ a b France qualify as pool winner having scored three tries to Scotland's two in their drawn match.
23 May 1987
France  20–20  Scotland
Try: Sella
Berbizier
Blanco
Con: Blanco
Pen: Blanco (2)
Try: White
Duncan
Pen: Hastings (4)
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Fred Howard (England)

28 May 1987
France  55–12  Romania
Try: Lagisquet (2)
Charvet (2)
Sella
Andrieu
Camberabero
Erbani
Laporte
Con: Laporte (8)
Pen: Laporte
Pen: Bezuscu (4)
Athletic Park, Wellington
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Bob Fordham (Australia)

2 June 1987
France  70–12  Zimbabwe
Try: Modin (3)
Camberabero (3)
Charvet (2)
Rodriguez (2)
Dubroca
Estève
Laporte
Con: Camberabero (9)
Try: Kaulback
Con: Grobler
Pen: Grobler (2)
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales)

Knock-out stage
Quarter-final
7 June 1987
Fiji  16–31  France
Try: Qoro
Damu
Con: Koroduadua
Pen: Koroduadua (2)
Try: Rodriguez (2)
Lorieux
Lagisquet
Con: Laporte (3)
Pen: Laporte (2)
Drop: Laporte
Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Clive Norling (Wales)

Semi-final
13 June 1987
Australia  24–30  France
Try: Campese
Codey
Con: Lynagh (2)
Pen: Lynagh (3)
Drop: Lynagh
Try: Lorieux
Sella
Lagisquet
Blanco
Con: Camberabero (4)
Pen: Camberabero (2)
Concord Oval, Sydney
Attendance: 17,768
Referee: Brian Anderson (Scotland)

Final
20 June 1987
New Zealand  29–9  France
Try: 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 (Australia)

1991

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Pool
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
  France 3 3 0 0 82 25 +57 6
  Canada 3 2 0 1 45 33 +12 4
  Romania 3 1 0 2 31 64 −33 2
  Fiji 3 0 0 3 27 63 −36 0
Source: [citation needed]
4 October 1991
France  30–3  Romania
Try: Roumat
Lafond
Penalty try
Saint-André
Con: Camberabero
Pen: Camberabero (4)
Pen: Nichitean
Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers
Referee: Les Peard (Wales)

8 October 1991
France  33–9  Fiji
Try: Lafond (3)
Sella (2)
Camberabero
Con: Camberabero (3)
Pen: Camberabero
Try: Naruma
Con: Koroduadua
Pen: Koroduadua
Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble
Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales)

13 October 1991
France  19–13  Canada
Try: Lafond
Saint-André
Con: Camberabero
Pen: Lacroix (2)
Camberabero
Try: Wyatt
Pen: Wyatt
Rees
Drop: Rees
Stade Armandie, Agen
Referee: Stephen Hilditch (Ireland)

Knock-out stages
Quarter-final
19 October 1991
France  10–19  England
Try: Lafond
Pen: Lacroix (2)
Try: Underwood
Carling
Con: Webb
Pen: Webb (3)
Parc des Princes, Paris
Referee: Dave Bishop (New Zealand)

1995

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Pool
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
  France 3 3 0 0 114 47 +67 9
  Scotland 3 2 0 1 149 27 +122 7
  Tonga 3 1 0 2 44 90 −46 5
  Ivory Coast 3 0 0 3 29 172 −143 3
Source: [citation needed]
26 May 1995
France  38–10  Tonga
Try: Lacroix (2)
Hueber
Saint-André
Con: Lacroix (3)
Pen: Lacroix (3)
Drop: Delaigue
Try: Vaʻenuku
Con: Tu'ipulotu
Pen: Tu'ipulotu
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Steve Lander (England)

30 May 1995
France  54–18  Ivory Coast
Try: Lacroix (2)
Benazzi
Téchoueyres
Viars
Accoceberry
Saint-André
Costes
Con: Deylaud (2)
Lacroix (2)
Pen: Lacroix (2)
Try: Soulama
Camara
Con: Kouassi
Pen: Kouassi (2)
Olympia Park, Rustenburg
Attendance: 17,000
Referee: Han Moon-soo (South Korea)

3 June 1995
France  22–19  Scotland
Try: Ntamack
Con: Lacroix
Pen: Lacroix (5)
Try: Wainwright
Con: Hastings
Pen: Hastings (4)
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)
Knock-out stages
Quarter-final
10 June 1995
France  36–12  Ireland
Try: Saint-André
Ntamack
Con: Lacroix
Pen: Lacroix (8)
Pen: Elwood (4)
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Ed Morrison (England)

Semi-final
17 June 1995
South Africa  19–15  France
Try: Kruger
Con: Stransky
Pen: Stransky (4)
Pen: Lacroix (5)
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales)

Third-place play-off
22 June 1995
France  19–9  England
Try: Roumat
Ntamack
Pen: Lacroix (3)
Pen: Andrew (3)
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Dave Bishop (New Zealand)

1999

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Pool
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
  France 3 3 0 0 108 52 +56 9
  Fiji 3 2 0 1 124 68 +56 7
  Canada 3 1 0 2 114 82 +32 5
  Namibia 3 0 0 3 42 186 −144 3
Source: [citation needed]
2 October 1999
France  33–20  Canada
Try: Ntamack
Glas
Castaignède
Magne
Con: Dourthe (2)
Pen: Dourthe (3)
Try: Williams (2)
Con: Ross
Rees
Pen: Ross
Rees
Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers
Referee: Brian Campsall (England)

8 October 1999
France  47–13  Namibia
Try: Mola (3)
Ntamack
Dourthe
Mignoni
Bernat-Salles
Con: Dourthe (4)
Pen: Dourthe (3)
Try: Samuelson
Con: Van Dyk
Pen: Van Dyk (2)
Parc Lescure, Bordeaux
Referee: Chris White (England)

16 October 1999
France  28–19  Fiji
Try: Juillet
Dominici
Con: Dourthe (2)
Pen: Dourthe (2)
Lamaison
Try: Uluinayau
Con: Little
Pen: Little (4)
Stadium de Toulouse
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

Knock-out stage
Quarter-final
24 October 1999
France  47–26  Argentina
Try: Garbajosa (2),
Bernat-Salles (2)
Ntamack
Con: Lamaison (5)
Pen: Lamaison (4)
Try: Pichot
Arbizu
Con: Quesada (2)
Pen: Quesada (3)
F. Contepomi
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales)

Semi-final
31 October 1999
New Zealand  31–43  France
Try: Lomu (2)
Wilson
Con: Mehrtens (2)
Pen: Mehrtens (4)
Try: Lamaison
Dominici
Dourthe
Bernat-Salles
Con: Lamaison (4)
Pen: Lamaison (3)
Drop: Lamaison (2)
Twickenham Stadium, London
Attendance: 75,000
Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland)

Final
6 November 1999
Australia  35–12  France
Try: Tune
Finegan
Con: Burke (2)
Pen: Burke (7)
Pen: Lamaison (4)
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 74,500
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

2003

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Pool
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts Qualification
  France 4 4 0 0 204 70 +134 4 20 Quarter-finals
  Scotland 4 3 0 1 102 97 +5 2 14
  Fiji 4 2 0 2 98 114 −16 2 10
  United States 4 1 0 3 86 125 −39 2 6
  Japan 4 0 0 4 79 163 −84 0 0
Source: [citation needed]
11 October 2003
France  61–18  Fiji
Try: Dominici (2)
Harinordoquy
Jauzion (3)
Ibañez
Con: Michalak (4)
Pen: Michalak (6)
Try: Naevo
Caucaunibuca
Con: Little
Pen: Little (2)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 46,795
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

18 October 2003
France  51–29  Japan
Try: Michalak
Rougerie (2)
Pelous
Dominici
Crenca
Con: Michalak (5)
Merceron
Pen: Michalak (3)
Try: Konia
Ohata
Con: Kurihara (2)
Pen: Kurihara (5)
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 21,309
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)

25 October 2003
France  51–9  Scotland
Try: 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 (Ireland)

31 October 2003
France  41–14  United States
Try: Liebenberg (3)
Poux
Bru
Con: Merceron (2)
Pen: Merceron (3)
Drop: Yachvili
Try: Hercus
Schubert
Con: Hercus (2)
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Attendance: 17,833
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

Knock-out stages
Quarter-final
9 November 2003
France  43–21Ireland  
Try: Magne 3' c
Dominici 29' c
Harinordoquy 33' c
Crenca 47' c
Con: Michalak (4)
Pen: Michalak (5)
Try: Maggs 52' c
O'Driscoll (2) 65' c, 80+2' c
Con: Humphreys (3)
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Attendance: 33,134
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Semi-final
16 November 2003
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 (New Zealand)

Third-place play-off
20 November 2003
New Zealand  40–13  France
Try: 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 (England)

2007

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Pool
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD B Pts Qualification
1   Argentina 4 4 0 0 143 33 +110 2 18 Qualified for the quarter-finals
2   France 4 3 0 1 188 37 +151 3 15
3   Ireland 4 2 0 2 64 82 −18 1 9 Eliminated, automatic qualification for RWC 2011
4   Georgia 4 1 0 3 50 111 −61 1 5
5   Namibia 4 0 0 4 30 212 −182 0 0
Source: [citation needed]
7 September 2007
21:00
France  12–17  Argentina
Pen: Skrela (4/5) 7', 31', 40+', 60'ReportTry: Corleto 27' m
Pen: F. Contepomi (4/6) 5', 10', 24', 34'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 79,312
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)

16 September 2007
21:00
France  87–10  Namibia
Try: 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
Élissalde 56' c
Ibañez 75' m
Con: Élissalde (11/13)
ReportTry: Langenhoven 79' c
Con: Losper (1/1)
Drop: Wessels (1/1) 10'
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Attendance: 35,339
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

21 September 2007
21:00
France  25–3Ireland  
Try: Clerc (2) 59' m, 69' m
Pen: Élissalde (5/6) 7', 18', 22', 40+', 55'
ReportTry: O'Gara (1/1) 37'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 80,267
Referee: Chris White (England)

30 September 2007
15:00
France  64–7  Georgia
Try: 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'
ReportTry: Z. Maissuradze 72' c
Con: Urjukashvili (1/1)
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Attendance: 58,695
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Knock-out stages
Quarter-final
6 October 2007
21:00
New Zealand  18–20  France
Try: McAlister 17' c
So'oialo 63' m
Con: Carter (1/1)
Pen: Carter (2/2) 14', 31'
ReportTry: 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 (England)

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'
ReportPen: Beauxis (3/3) 8', 18', 44'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 80,283
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Bronze final
19 October 2007
21:00
France  10–34  Argentina
Try: Poitrenaud 69' c
Con: Beauxis (1/1)
Pen: Élissalde (1/1) 18'
ReportTry: F. Contepomi (2) 28' c, 77' c
Hasan 32' c
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 (New Zealand)

2011

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Pool
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD T B Pts Qualification
1   New Zealand 4 4 0 0 240 49 +191 36 4 20 Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup
2   France 4 2 0 2 124 96 +28 13 3 11
3   Tonga 4 2 0 2 80 98 −18 7 1 9 Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup
4   Canada 4 1 1 2 82 168 −86 9 0 6
5   Japan 4 0 1 3 69 184 −115 8 0 2
Source: [citation needed]
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'
ReportTry: 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'
ReportTry: 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'
ReportTry: 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'
ReportTry: 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'
ReportPen: 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)
ReportTry: Woodcock 15' m
Pen: Donald (1/1) 46'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 61,079
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

2015

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Pool Stage

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD T B Pts Qualification
1   Ireland 4 4 0 0 134 35 +99 16 2 18 Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
2   France 4 3 0 1 120 63 +57 12 2 14
3   Italy 4 2 0 2 74 88 −14 7 2 10 Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup
4   Romania 4 1 0 3 60 129 −69 7 0 4
5   Canada 4 0 0 4 58 131 −73 7 2 2
Source: [citation needed]
19 September 2015 France   32–10   Italy Twickenham Stadium, London
23 September 2015 France   38–11   Romania Olympic Stadium, London
1 October 2015 France   41–18   Canada Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
11 October 2015 France   9–24   Ireland Millennium 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'
ReportTry: 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

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Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD T B Pts Qualification
1   England 4 3 1 0 119 20 +99 17 3 17 Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
2   France 4 3 1 0 79 51 +28 9 1 15
3   Argentina 4 2 0 2 106 91 +15 14 3 11 Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup
4   Tonga 4 1 0 3 67 105 −38 9 2 6
5   United States 4 0 0 4 52 156 −104 7 0 0
Source: [citation needed]
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'
ReportTry: Petti 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
ReportPen: MacGinty (3/3) 19', 31', 65'
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka
Attendance: 17,660
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

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'
ReportTry: 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
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

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'
ReportTry: 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

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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

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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

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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

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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-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

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2023 Rugby World Cup match between France and New Zealand (All Blacks) at Stade de France.

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

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

References

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  1. ^ "Typhoon Hagibis impact on Rugby World Cup 2019 matches". Rugby World Cup. 10 October 2019. Archived from the original on 14 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "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.[permanent dead link]

Bibliography

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