“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves”
William Shakespeare Julius Caesar – Act 1-Scene 2

It was France destiny to lift to 2023 Rugby World Cup trophy, but as William Shakespeare reminds us, it is always more terrestrial forces that decide the outcome of these matters.

A week on from France’ emotionally crushing defeat by South Africa, it is easier to take a more rational assessment of all matters blue, even if it is still just as painful.

That incredible match against South Africa has now been superseded by a Springbok victory over England, but there are many folk in France and beyond who still can’t quite believe what happened at Stade de France on Sunday 15 October, and I am one of them.

No matter how many times we watch a re-run of that fabulous match the final scoreline never changes, however much we will it to.

At midday last Monday the French squad checked out of the Renaissance Hotel in Rueil-Malmaison and headed to the Brasserie d’Auteuil, in the 16th arrondissement for a farewell gathering, the goodbyes were lengthy, there were a lot of sorrows to drown.

They now get at least ten days and restless nights off before resuming Top 14 duties with their clubs.

So what now for Les Bleus ?

Many of the current squad are young enough to go again in Australia 2027, Dupont, Ntamack, Bielle-Biarrey, Aldritt, Meafou, Vincent and Boudehent will be thirty or under at the next tournament.

Fabien Galthie is already back to work, he is contracted until 2028, and it has been confirmed that Rapahaël Ibanez (Manager), William Servat (Forwards coach) and Nicolas Jeanjean (Physical conditioner) will remain in post. The other positions are either yet to be decided or confirmed.

The 2024 Guinness Six Nations begins on February 5 when France face Ireland in Marseille. There will be no matches at Stade de France due to modifications needed to the stadium for its use as an Olympic venue in 2024.

France’s other home games will be against Italy in Lille, and in the final weekend of the tournament, England in Lyon.

For France their rugby ghosts of yesteryear still cannot rest. Blanco, Sella, and many other wonderful players fell just short of World Cup glory, and now we can add more great names to that unwanted list. The wounds are still raw, but maybe this indescribable hurt can fuel France for the next four years.

Antoine Dupont can steer this side right through to 2027, but his availability at the 2024 Guinness Six Nations appears to be unlikely.

The superstar scrum half and captain has had backing from club and country to enable him to fulfil his ambition to represent France at the Olympic Rugby Sevens tournament, this would mean stepping away from the fifteen-a-side game for an extended period. Talks are ongoing with all the parties involved as to the exact dates and timings of events, but it is looking certain that Antoine will be going for gold next summer.

So now is the winter of our discontent, but it could be made noble summer on the other side of the world in 2027, à bientôt.