France were among the favorites for the World Cup. The Tricolores were swept away (17-38) at the opening of the Tournament by a Clover XV playing at their level.
They were happy winners on Saturday of a low-level duel in Edinburgh against Scotland (16-20) In both cases, worrying performances with a non-existent background, sporadic reactions, a lack of punch, desire, enthusiasm. The Blues, full of confidence and certainty, were at the time convinced of a near coronation in Saint-Denis.