France
France are the reigning Six Nations champions, back-to-back winners in 2025 and 2026. They have reached three Rugby World Cup finals and lost all three, two of them to New Zealand. Few teams in the world are as much fun to watch.
From a 38–8 Defeat in 1906 to Ten Grand Slams
France’s first Test was against New Zealand in Paris on 1 January 1906 and ended in a 38–8 defeat. The Fédération Française de Rugby, founded in 1919 and now based at Marcoussis, runs the national side. Since the end of 1997 home Tests have been played at the 80,000-capacity Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Counting the Five and Six Nations, France have 28 championship titles, eight of them shared, and ten Grand Slams: 1968, 1977, 1981, 1987, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2010 and 2022. In the Six Nations era alone they have won eight titles, more than any other nation, and four Grand Slams.
Three Finals, and the One That Got Away at Home
France lost the 1987 final 29–9 to New Zealand and the 1999 final 35–12 to Australia. The 2011 final in New Zealand was the cruellest, an 8–7 defeat to the All Blacks.
Hosting in 2023 started perfectly. France beat New Zealand 27–13 in the opening match at the Stade de France on 9 September, Thomas Ramos kicking 17 points, and won all four pool games. Then came South Africa in the quarter-final on 15 October. Antoine Dupont returned from a broken cheekbone to captain the side, but Eben Etzebeth’s late try won it 29–28 for the Springboks. France are still waiting for a first world title.
Back-to-Back Champions Under Fabien Galthié
Head coach Fabien Galthié, in charge since after the 2019 World Cup, won the 2022 Grand Slam and has now added the 2025 and 2026 titles. In 2026 France beat Ireland 36–14, Wales 54–12 and Italy 33–8, lost a wild one 50–40 at Murrayfield, then beat England 48–46 in Paris with a Ramos penalty from the last kick. Louis Bielle-Biarrey was Player of the Championship for the second year running, with a record nine tries.
In the first Nations Championship in July they lost 34–32 to New Zealand in Christchurch, then won 42–26 against Australia in Brisbane and 42–15 against Japan in Tokyo. November brings Fiji on the 7th, South Africa on the 13th and Argentina at the Stade de France on the 21st.
Antoine Dupont
Blue, White and Red
The traditional French kit is blue shirts, white shorts and red socks, which is where Les Bleus comes from. The Gallic cockerel is the emblem on the chest. Adidas is the current kit supplier, with a deal running from 2024 to 2028.
This FanFile covers France as a national team rather than one particular jersey. Check the crest, sponsor, manufacturer label and product code on your own shirt to identify its specific season and edition.
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Team Links
Sources & Further Reading
- Wikipedia: France national rugby union team
- Wikipedia: 2026 Six Nations Championship
- Rugby World: every Six Nations winner from 2000 to 2026
- Rugby World Cup: France 27–13 New Zealand, 2023 opener
- Al Jazeera: South Africa 29–28 France, 2023 quarter-final
- Rugby Australia: Japan 15–42 France, July 2026
Facts checked: 21 October 2026.