France Rugby World Cup

Rugby was introduced to France in 1872 by the British, and on New Year’s Day 1906, the national side played its first test match against New Zealand in Paris. France played occasionally against the Home Nations until they joined them to form the Five Nations Championship in 1910. France also contested in the rugby competitions at early Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal in 1900 and two silver medals in the 1920s. The national team came of age during the 1950s and 1960s, winning their first Five Nations title outright in 1959. They won their first Grand Slam in 1968. Since then, they have won the title absolute 17 times, including nine grand slams, and shared it eight times. France has contested in every Rugby World Cup since it initiated in 1987, and qualified for the knockout stage each time. They have reached the final three times, losing to the All Blacks in 1987 and 2011, and to Australia in 1999. France hosted the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where, as in 2003, they were beaten in the semi-finals by England, and will once again host the tournament in 2023.