The Six Nations - France

About this episode

The episode explores the history and evolution of French rugby within the context of the Six Nations tournament.

The Six Nations - France Les Bleus. Brilliant. Erratic. Inconsistent. Wonderful. The Six Nations has been a rollercoaster for French rugby fans, early dominance followed by a dozen wilderness years that sparked fierce criticism and debate, triggering as so often happens in France, revolution. And that revolution, building up their domestic game, strengthening pathways and processes has given France such an abundance and depth of talent and remade them into perennial Six Nations challengers or champions and - whisper it quietly - potentially favourites for next year's World Cup. Today, we look at the history of French rugby, how rugby league nearly won out before fascism destroyed its very foundations. We look at France's Six Nations years, the highs, the deep, long lows, and the recovery. As they sit poised to potentially make it back-to-back wins, we wonder how far this revolution can go, and what the rest of the world can do to stop them.

Topics covered

• Six Nations
• French rugby
• rugby history
• sports revolution

Keywords

• Les Bleus
• rugby league
• World Cup
• domestic game
• talent depth

Mentioned in this episode

Places: France

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