After a summer of disharmony, Les Bleus are back in action with their talisman Antoine Dupont but there are problems from within the ranks
France is no longer a haven for foreign players. Its shifting tides that could redefine world rugby.
The 2020/21 Clermont squad looks stronger, more balanced and has a back line to terrify even the most organised of defences.
With Les Bleus due in Cardiff next Saturday, their coach has been accused of arrogance but the feeling in his homeland is that at the top level you can’t be nice all the time.
Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Heineken Champions Cup match between Clermont and Ulster at Stade Marcel Michelin.
Since becoming eligible for France, Fijian Alivereti Raka has demonstrated a nose for a try which is why some Wales fans are celebrating his omission for Sunday's RWC quarter-final.
Follow all the action from the second match of the 2019 World Cup on the RugbyPass live blog as France take on Argentina at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo.
It's been 12 years since Argentina turned the rugby world on its head to upset France 17-12 in their own backyard in the 2007 World Cup opener.
France head coach Jacques Brunel has named his 31-man squad to travel to Japan to challenge for the World Cup and there are a few surprise omissions.
France concluded their preparations for the World Cup with a comfortable 47-19 victory over Italy in their final warm-up match in Paris.
