Racing 92 player ratings: Racing 92 will return to France knowing a 29-19 Investec Champions Cup loss to Glasgow Warriors flattered them.
England flew out of South Africa last Saturday evening to Heathrow as the rightful champions, the consistency of their potent scrum and manipulative defence helping them to a deserved first title since 2016.
It was the French who caught the eye in round one with six of their eight teams winning, including Stade Rochelais and Toulon away from home.
The French, who are chasing a fourth successive world title in a row, swatted aside New Zealand 55-31 in their semi-final last Sunday.
Beaten 26-27 by an 80th-minute Baby Blacks penalty in a July 4 pool match in Stellenbosch, the French only reached the last four as the tournament’s best runner-up across the three pools courtesy of last Tuesday’s victory over Wales.
The French qualified for the last four with a 29-11 bonus-point win over Wales last Tuesday in Athlone, a result that was perfect to secure them progress as the tournament’s best runner-up across the three groups.
The arrival of Stade Toulousain back-row Mathis Castro-Ferreira has shaken up the 23-man Bleuets squad that will face New Zealand.
The Spanish have the honour of opening the pool the DHL Stadium this Saturday, taking on a French team that didn’t fire on all cylinders in a Six Nations campaign that only merited third place.
Les Bleus had won the 2018 and 2019 tournament finals in Beziers and Rosario but the pandemic forced the cancellation of the next three tournaments before it returned in 2023.
With Montpellier now crowned Top 14 champions, attention turns to the players each side has brought in to better their chances of winning the trophy next season. Newcomers Bayonne have been the busiest in the transfer market, releasing players...