Rugby World Cup 2007: France Aims at Wining First Rugby World Cup at Home

Rugby world cup 2007 is just a few days away. The tournament will begin from 7 September. In the opening day, Argentina will play against host France. So, fans of France rugby team are now eagerly waiting for the match. France has played in world cup final twice but could not lift the Webb Ellis Cup yet. In the first Rugby world cup in 1987, France played in the final against the winner New Zealand and in 1999 Rugby world cup, they played their second world cup final against Australia.

So, ahead of the Rugby world cup 2007 in their home soil, French rugby fans are now excited to see their team winning their first ever world cup title. Only South Africa has the distinction to win rugby world cup as the host. South Africa won 1995 Rugby world cup at their home soil. So, I think, it is clear enough that how much eager the people of France are to win a rugby world cup. Today while searching in the net, I got an article in Guardian.com where writer tried to find out some possible reasons of France’s lose to England in the semi final of last world cup in 2003. I want to share some lines from the article here:

France lost to England in the semi-final of the 2003 edition for two reasons: they could not impose themselves physically on the English at any point on the pitch, and Freddie Michalak - "mercurial", "inspired", the "French Carlos Spencer" - missed his kicks at goal. The English pack punished the French for daring to score an opportunistic try from a line out and took their points when they were offered. In other words, France were unable, or unwilling, to do the basics as well as the other team.

Well, the writer has given his/her opinions. However, I think, English side of last world cup was really very balanced and it is worthless to say that England deserved the cup in 2003. On the other hand, France team was not enough to resist the English side. A team can not play well everyday though consistency is really needed to win a big tournament like world cup. I think, that was just a bad day for France. This time, France looks strong and a combination of both young and experienced players. The squad seems to be balanced.

France will have home advantage in the upcoming tournament. So, the fans can hold their hope up for France this time. France will come up with strong challenges for the other favorites. Let us see if France can present with some memorable moments for the home crowd in Rugby world cup 2007.