Donal Lenihan's Rugby World Cup diary: what a rope factory tells us about French rugby

The Irish Examiner columnist is heading north towards Ireland's next host city, Nantes.

OLD ROPE: Donal Lenihan at the historic, rebuilt factory in Rochefort. 

Donal Lenihan continues his journey through the heart of French rugby country as he makes his way to Ireland's next World Cup game on Saturday night. 

Today, Donal takes in an historic and impressive-looking rope factory in the town of Rochefort. And the story of the place tells us something of our tournament hosts and the game they love.