“Now we must beat England: We can lose the World Cup but we must beat England”

FOR a nation which prides itself on flair, power and passion, yesterday’s 22 point win over Ireland was but another footnote in France’s illustrious rugby history.

For most of the French public the most glorious chapter remains to be written over the next fortnight in Australia.

Strangely, it is not all dependent on hoisting the William Webb Ellis trophy aloft in the Telstra Stadium.