The Irish Times

Matt Williams: France leaving nothing to chance in quest for World Cup glory

French team that will run out in Dublin the product of a decade of planning primed to peak in 2023

Sat Feb 13 2021 - 06:30

Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell to leave current coaching roles

O’Gara set for job with France while O’Connell is to leave Stade Francais a year early

Mon Mar 25 2019 - 14:40

Six Nations talking points: Reduced role of TMO not protecting players

Warren Gatland seems to be looking ahead to the Rugby World Cup the most

Mon Feb 11 2019 - 14:29

Can Jacques Brunel fix France’s ‘mess’ before Ireland clash?

Les Bleus enter contest on back of seven winless matches but are boosted by new coach

Sat Jan 27 2018 - 08:30

Major parts of the puzzle seem to be coming together for France

Freddy Michalak has become a leader and the French pack looks increasingly formidable

Sat Oct 10 2015 - 19:26

RWC #43: Tonga stun ramshackle France in Wellington

Final Pool A game of the 2011 World Cup provides one of the tournament’s biggest shocks

Fri Aug 07 2015 - 12:00

Toulon may be hard to like but there’s no questioning their dominance

Money talks and Mourad Boudjellal ’s millions are shouting loud for the European champions

Tue May 05 2015 - 05:45

Would the provinces dominate a dream XV from 20 years of Europe?

Leinster, Munster and Ulster have left an indelible mark on a tournament approaching it’s 20th final

Tue Apr 28 2015 - 13:08

Owen Farrell returns to Saracens bench for Clermont match

Mark McCall intends to ‘make life difficult’ for French side in third meeting this season

Fri Apr 17 2015 - 20:35

Leinster can remedy systems failure but Munster’s predicament goes deeper

Anthony Foley needs to maximise power of unit to compensate for individual weakness

Fri Dec 12 2014 - 12:00

Crucial games in Europe for four Irish provinces

Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Connacht battle Europe on the crest of wave

Sat Dec 06 2014 - 15:55

Munster look to add underachieving Clermont to their Thomond Park hit list

For such a massive club, Clermont Auvergne always make you feel like you have a chance

Wed Dec 03 2014 - 12:00

Saracens boosted as Clermont plan without Aurelien Rougerie

Veteran French back suffering from hamstring strain sustained in surprise defeat to Racing Metro

Fri Apr 25 2014 - 21:39

Mutual respect ends monumental battle

Bonnaire describes victory over Munsteras one of the greatest days of his career

Mon Apr 29 2013 - 06:00

Gallant Munster go down fighting in an epic rollercoaster from start to finish

Brave fightback just falls short as Clermont advance to final

Mon Apr 29 2013 - 06:00

O’Mahony confronts the ‘ultimate challenge’

Munster flanker excited about pitting himself against the world-class Julien Bonnaire

Thu Apr 25 2013 - 01:00