Will France win the RWC?
Probably.
Here’s why…
They have been the absolute dominating force in World Rugby over the past 2 years winning 13/14 games and only losing to Ireland, the #2 team, since the start of 2022.
They have been scoring tries at will and have been amazing to watch.
Their forwards have been dominating other teams at the set pieces but they have also had a massive impact in rucks and mauls.
Their tight defense has also not allowed other teams to score freely.
Their mastermind behind the team’s outstanding performances, Fabien Galthie, has turned this team into a world-beater. He brought his passion for the game over from his playing days. He has also coached Stade Francais, Montpellier, and Toulon, winning the Top 14 with the first two teams. He has been in charge of France since 2019
The team is also star-studded with monsters like Julien Marchand and Uini Antonio up front and Gael Fickou and Antoine Dupont in the backline. We need to pause for a second though on Dupont. He has been their captain for a while now and many see him as the best scrumhalf in the world.
I do believe though that their biggest advantage will be homefield advantage.
Two iconic examples are the 1995 and 2011 World Cups. South Africa had no chance in that tournament but found inspiration from somewhere to become the unlikely winners!
In 2011 the All Blacks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time in 24 years when they played at home.
Will the cup that Dupont holds at the end of this World Cup be a different one than this? I wouldn’t be too shocked.