France's semi-final win over New Zealand in 1999 will go down as one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

Les Bleus, who had picked up the Five Nations wooden spoon earlier that year having lost to both Scotland and Wales on home soil, turned on a sensational second-half display to overcome the mighty All Blacks 43-31 and earn themselves a showdown against Australia.

Despite a comprehensive 35-12 defeat in the final, which enabled the Wallabies to collect the Webb Ellis trophy for the second time, the French once again proved their pedigree as a legitimate contender for World Cup glory.

Since the World Cup was introduced back in 1987, France have been the most consistent northern hemisphere side.

New blood and fresh ideas have been introduced by coach Bernard Laporte over the past year or so as he looks to revolutionise French rugby.

The French have been given a favourable World Cup draw and will be expected to top their group ahead of Scotland, Fiji, USA and Japan.

With a possible quarter-final against Ireland or Argentina, they will fancy their chances of reaching the semis.

Given their ability to produce the unexpected France could even be the team to break the monopoly enjoyed by the southern hemisphere and become the first team from the north to lift rugby's greatest prize.

Squad: David Auradou, Serge Betsen, Olivier Brouzet, Yannick Bru, Nicolas Brusque, Sebastien Chabal, Jean-Jacques Crenca, Christophe Dominici, Pepito Elhorga, Fabien Galthie, Xavier Garbajosa, Imanol Harinordoquy, Raphael Ibanez, Yannick Jauzion, Christian Labit, Brian Liebenberg, Olivier Magne, Sylvain Marconnet, Tony Marsh, Gerald Merceron, Frederic Michalak, Olivier Milloud, Fabien Pelous, Clement Poitrenaud, Aurelien Rougerie, Patrick Tabacco, Jermone Thion, Damien Traille, Dimitri Yachvili.