Ibanez says France will get stronger

RAPHAEL IBANEZ believes France will be all the stronger come next year’s World Cup on home soil after winning the RBS Six Nations Championship despite never hitting top gear.

France destroyed Australia and South Africa in the autumn with an impressive brand of attacking rugby that was missing for most of the Six Nations.

In the final shake-up, it required a late flash of brilliance from mercurial fly-half Frederic Michalak to secure France the ill-deserved 21-16 win over Wales that clinched the title.