Ten years ago, this World Cup final that the XV of France should have won

There is this catchphrase. Absurd. “Anyway, these Blues should never have played in this final.In support of this thesis, without foundation, the difficulties encountered by the XV of France during this competition. Among other things, this defeat against Tonga, in a group match. 19 to 14. Much to their joy at dominating the French, the players of the islands had forgotten the rules of the hens. The number of registered tries separated the ties. One more try and the Aigles des Mers flew into the quarter-finals in place of Marc Lièvremont’s troop.

Admittedly, it was not glorious. But this poor performance had provoked the start, the revolt. Cold with their coach, who had qualified them as “dirty kids“, The Blues of Rougerie, Nallet, Harinordoquy and other Popes had told themselves their four truths and had played the card, worn to the rope, of the”alone against all“. Especially against the French press. Obviously, it was wrong, overplayed, but it was necessary