French Rugby

The France national rugby union team played their first competitive match in 1906. After initially playing in occasional Home Nations tournaments against England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, France joined the event on a regular basis, playing in the first Five Nations tournament, in 1910. 

France now compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship, winning the tournament outright on 16 occasions and sharing it eight times, winning nine grand slams during that time. France traditionally play in blue shirts with white shorts and red socks, resulting in their nickname 'Les Tricolores' or Les Bleus, occasionally playing in white shirts, blue shorts and socks. 

France's first golden period came during the 1950s and 1960s, sharing the Five Nations title in 1954 with England and Wales, going on to win their first outright Five Nations title in 1959. France won their first Grand Slam in 1968, going on to repeat that feat on another eight occasions. 

Since the first ever World Cup in 1987, France have reached the knock-out stage of every tournament, progressing to the final three times, losing to the All Blacks in 1987 and 2011 and suffering a defeat at the hands of Australia in 1999. France hosted the 2007 Rugby World Cup, suffering a semi-final defeat at the hands of England, gaining revenge against the English at the quarter-final stage in the 2011 World Cup before beating Wales in the semi-finals, going on to suffer defeat to the All Blacks in the final.

France have had eight former players inducted into either the International Rugby Hall of Fame or the IRB Hall of Fame - two to the International Hall only, two to the IRB Hall only, and four to both Halls of Fame. Christophe Lamaison holds the record as France's all-time leading points scorer with 380 international points, also holding the record for conversions with 61. The record for French appearances is held by Fabien Pelous with 118, with Serge Blanco holding the record for leading try scorer. 

While France play many of their international matches across the country, the Stade de France in Paris serves as the team's home ground for the duration of the Six Nations. Les Blues also have a formidable home record at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, losing just twice, against Argentina in 2004 and against New Zealand in 2009.

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