Updated Standings
OVERVIEW
Sometimes brilliant, sometimes downright awful, but always watchable, the French are the entertainers of the Six Nations.
Where England’s championship triumphs in the 90’s were characterised by a ruthless efficiency, les bleus went about winning their three titles in the same decade with performances of flair and invention.
The likes of Phillip Saint-Andre cut a swathe across the playing fields of the British Isles with performances of dazzling skill as the French established themselves as the only credible challengers to the English during the last decade of the 20th century.
A successful decade was rounded off by a highly creditable display in the 1999 World Cup, when against all expectations the French reached the final before succumbing to the Wallabys of Australia.
However just when you thought the French may be about to add the word consistency to their undoubted ability as a team, along came the Six Nations to dispel such a fanciful notion.
Rather than enter the New Millennium with the cocksure stride of the best team in the Northern Hemisphere, Bernard Laporte’s side limped tamely through an incredibly disappointing Six Nations campaign.
Although eventually finishing joint-runners up with Ireland, the French once again flattered to deceive, brushing aside the Welsh in Cardiff before getting outmuscled by England and, almost unbelievably, outdazzled by the Irish in Paris.
Now after, another typical Autumn series of internationals in which drab losses to Australia and New Zealand was followed by a barnstorming triumph over the All-Blacks in the second of a two-match series, the French enter the Six Nations fray with their opponents wondering as ever just which side will turn up.
Should the French hit a streak of form, then they certainly possess the ability to make the most of a relatively easy-looking fixture list in the early part of the tournament.
Provided a tricky trip to Dublin can be negotiated on the tournament’s second weekend the likes Olivier Magne, Christophe Dominici and Christophe Lamaison are capable of sending France into the final weekend and the clash against England with everything to play for.
And should les bleus be in with a shout of glory at Twickenham who would bet against them producing something sensational to see off les rosbifs?