France Rugby World Cup Squad 2023
The France national rugby team, fondly known as Les Bleus, boasts an illustrious history, having graced every Rugby World Cup since the tournament’s inception in 1987.
Notably, they have reached the final match greatly but have yet to clinch the title. As France prepares to host the grand event in 2023, the nation is agog with excitement, and rightly so.
France Team Rugby World Cup 2023 Squad
Head Coach Fabien Galthie has announced an extensive 42-player group ahead of the second training camp. However, this pool will be whittled down to a lean, mean, 33-player team by 21 August, just days before their final World Cup warm-up match against Australia.
Key members of this preliminary squad include looseheads like Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Reda Wardi (La Rochelle) and Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon).
Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Hookers Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle) and Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse) have also cut. The squad features a versatile mix of young talent and seasoned veterans, setting the stage for intense competition for jerseys.
However, please note that the French Rugby Federation is yet to announce the final France Rugby World Cup squad 2023. We will update you with the official line-up as soon as it is available.
France Rugby World Cup 2023 Schedule
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (GMT) | VENUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 | New Zealand | 8:00 pm | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 | Uruguay | 8:00 pm | Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille |
| Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 | Namibia | 8:00 pm | Stade Vélodrome, Marseille |
| Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 | Italy | 8:00 pm | OL Stadium, Lyon |
Also Check: RWC 2023 Full Schedule
France Rugby World Cup Pool Preview & Prediction
The French team finds itself in Pool A for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, alongside formidable opponents like New Zealand, Italy, Uruguay, and Namibia. Given the squad’s depth and the home ground advantage, France’s chances of advancing to the quarter-finals look promising.
However, the knockout stages’ format, where teams from Pools A and B and then Pools C and D will meet in the quarter-finals, leaves a lot of room for thrilling upsets and nail-biting finishes.
France Rugby World Cup Past Performances & Records
France’s World Cup journey has been marked by consistent performances, having reached at least the quarter-finals at every tournament.
The French squad played in the final match in 1987, 1999, and 2011, although they had to settle for the second spot each time.
They hosted the tournament in 2007 and co-hosted the 1991 competition with Ireland and the United Kingdom. France also hosted several matches during the 1999 event, where Wales was the primary host.
France RWC Performances by Position:
| Year | Round |
|---|---|
| 1987 | Runners-up |
| 1991 | Quarter-finals |
| 1995 | Third place |
| 1999 | Runners-up |
| 2003 | Fourth place |
| 2007 | Semi-finals |
| 2011 | Runners-up |
| 2015 | Quarter-finals |
| 2019 | Quarter-finals |
Final Words
As the Rugby World Cup 2023 draws closer, all eyes are on the French squad, who are gunning for the title on home turf. Will they seize the moment and finally bring home the trophy? Or will history repeat itself?
Regardless of the outcome, fans can expect an electrifying spectacle of rugby, full of fierce competition and sportsmanship. Let the games begin!
