It is midnight at the Orange Vélodrome in Marseille, the distant twinkling lights high in the mountains behind the stadium flicker through a veil of thundery mist as Thursday night reaches gently into Friday morning.

France’s Rugby World Cup caravan came south tonight from Paris via Lille to the balmy Mediterranean, and what a welcome it received.

The African coast is the next southerly landmass from this ancient port, so it was fitting that the host nation entertained the African qualifier Namibia in this Group A pool match.

To hear “La Marseillaise” sung in Marseille is something very special. As stirring a national anthem as you could wish for.

When you hear it sung at the Stade de France, the hairs on the back of the neck stand on end and a shiver goes down the spine.

But I have noticed the further south the anthem travels, the more passionate it is sung. When it down gets here to the south coast it swirls and echoes around the Orange Vélodrome and with the mountain tops visible through the gaps in the grandstands, it is an utterly glorious experience and last night it was extra special.

The temperature also appears to affect the tempo that the anthem is played at. In Paris it can be slow, but it accelerates the further south it travels so by the time it has reached Marseille, the transformation from “largo” to “allegro” is complete.

Tempo was something the boys in bleu were anxious to stick to, following a tricky time up north against Uruguay in their last match.

A fervent capacity crowd roared France on from the start and the boys in blue responded with a 6th minute try from Damian Penaud. 13 tries later it was a 96-0 win for France.

In between we witnessed rugby from the gods, one handed spin passes from Dupont, sleight of hand and angles of running that would have had a maths teacher purring.

But those rugby gods can be cruel and Johan Deysel’s red card for a head shot on Antoine Dupont could be a massive downer on a massive win.

There’s a suspicion of a crack or fracture in his jaw,” Galthié said. “He’s gone for tests. We’ll wait for the results before moving forward. We need to take advantage of this great victory and the players’ fine performance.”

The concern over Dupont muted the celebrations down at the Vieux Port, and Galthie must be in torment for not taking him off at half time when France were leading 54-0, but for now after a wonderful show down south a nation holds its breath.

It’s not just on the field where Rugby World Cup’s are won and lost, it is also off the field where capturing hearts and minds is an essential ingredient.

Whilst Wales rugby players have had a mixed reception on the field, the Welsh Rugby Union design team have been peerless off it.

Their colourful and imaginative graphics have been the talk of the tournament and quite frankly no one else has come close to matching them.

In Marseille French journalists were waxing lyrical about the beauty and colour of the Welsh graphics and what a wonderful advertisement it has been for Nantes, Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon the cities where Wales have played their pool games.

The team announcements have been given added colour and impetus and even the guide for us old hacks in the media has reflected the wonderful theme created by our people back home.

Plus the bi-lingual aspect has helped promote the Welsh language, something that the WRU have made it their mission to highlight and support .

However far Wales progress in the Rugby World Cup, there are definitely a group of winners back in the Principality Stadium not by luck but by sheer design.

Cymru am Byth

As I sit at the Vieux Port in Marseille with a coffee, gazing out at the nearby island of Chateau D’If, I’m reminded of the words of Edmund Dantès “All human wisdom is contained in these two words, “wait and hope”.

Dantes, the vengeful hero of the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” was imprisoned in the chateau d’if by the pen of Alexandre Dumas.

And on a warm summers evening by the Med, we are all waiting and hoping. France face Namibia just a short journey up the road at the Orange Vélodrome in just under twenty-four hours. The wait is acceptable in such pleasant surroundings, and the hope is for a display of French flair under the coastal twilight colours that enticed Van Gogh southwards from Paris.

Summer is slow to depart this city, which despite all the recent modernisation still has a wonderful Northern African vibe, it really does feel like the junction of two continents.

The temperatures here are a very pleasant twenty-three degrees and at tomorrow’s 9pm kick off they are likely to be a muggy, thundery twenty-one degrees.

France after victories over New Zealand and Uruguay are all but assured of qualification to the knock out stages

After the less than perfect performance of the largely second XV in Lille, Galthie has brought back all the big guns for this one.

Having played in Paris and Lille this is France’ most southerly World Cup match before they begin their journey northwards starting with a final pool game in Lyon against Italy on October 6.

For now as the sun slowly sets at the port it’s time for a glass of red and a little bit more waiting and hoping.

“The French Riviera, a sunny place for shady people.”

Somerset Maugham

Promenade des Anglais in Nice stretches for seven kilometers and provides an uninterrupted view of the bright blue sea and the plethora of palm trees.

Its name comes from the English aristocrats who came to Nice in the 18th century to enjoy the health benefits of the climate. At that time, the shoreline was not so regular, and because the lords and their wives wanted to walk comfortably, a seaside promenade was built The English names of the hotels, such as Westminster and West End, still bear witness to the influence of the islanders on this place.

Since Friday it has become, temporarily, Promenade Pays de Galles the stretching human sea of red a beautiful contrast to the blinding azure Mediterranean and the cloudless skies.

There was also a hint of the Algarve as Portugal fans, enjoying a tournament with all the big boys, were savouring every last drop, quite literally, at Café Simone on Rue Rossetti.

Wales 102 Portugal 11 was the scoreline in 1994 when these two met in a Rugby World Cup Qualification match, times have changed and no one was realistically expecting a similar margin of victory at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice.

This match was very much France v Uruguay revisited. Louis Rees-Zammit set Wales on their way with a try in the 9th minute but Wales’ second touchdown did not appear until minute 43 when Dewi Lake crashed over from a self taken tapped penalty to give Wales a 14-3 half time lead.

In between those two scores it was Portugal who looked the more organised in defence and attack, Wales looked uncoordinated and panicky with the ball in hand.

The second half saw Jac Morgan’s 56th minute try give Wales a 21-3 lead but they never looked comfortable, losing four line outs, and their quest for a fourth try, and the resulting bonus point, looked to have passed them by until the peerless Taulupe Faletau scored near the posts with 83:51 on the clock. Sam Costello’s conversion secured a 28-8 victory for Wales.

But the biggest cheer of the day came with Portugal’s 63rd minute try, a beautiful well worked line out move which resulted in Nicolas Martins diving over.

The so called tier two nations are causing the big boys quite a few tears in this Rugby World Cup and it looks like those massive score-lines of previous tournaments are become fewer.

Portugal next head to Toulouse to face Georgia, whilst Wales, who have maximum points head to Lyon for an almighty clash with Australia.

Cafe Simone should do quite well for business tonight.

In a country where wine is generally king, Lille is France’s beer capital. Pelforth is a French brewery founded in 1914 in Mons-en-Barœul by three Lillois brewers. It was originally called Pelican, after a dance popular at the time, but changed its name to Pelforth after World War II. The name is a mash up of Pelican and “forte”, which means strong – and this is the style of beer they brew, including a blonde, brune and amber.

Northern France is not a hotbed of rugby, but as France’s Rugby World Cup roadshow travels the country in its quest for World Cup glory, it was time for the folks of Hauts-de-France to cheer on their boys in blue.

Stade Pierre Mauroy is tucked away in one of those out of town complexes at Villeneuve d’Ascq, a suburb 6km southeast of Lille City Centre, just a gentle meandering fifteen minute metro ride from Gare Lille Flandres.

Last night France entertained Uruguay the 1930 World Cup winners, ok that was with a round ball, but as we are in football territory let’s give them a notable mention.

Les Bleus made twelve changes from the team that beat the All Blacks on that steamy Friday night in Paris, but the cast list makes you realise just how much strength in depth the host nation have at their disposal.

A bonus point win and a display of French flair were expected by the packed crowd of 48,861.

But Uruguay ripped up that script and wrote their own pushing France all the way.

Uruguay stunned the home crowd with a Nicolas Freitas try after 6 minutes before Antoine Hastoy crossed for France 5 minutes later.

A 13-5 half time score in favour of France was perhaps harsh on Uruguay who also had a well worked try disallowed for obstruction in midfield.

After a half time glare from Shaun Edwards a fast start to second half was expected from France, but it was Uruguay’s Baltazar Amaya who touched down after 53 mins. Etcheverry’s conversion reduced France lead to a single point (13-12)

Mauvaka (55mins) and Bielle-Biarey (73mins) scored tries for France but Uruguay would not go away and their organised defence prevented France from getting a bonus point, an amazing achievement in itself.

But a win is a win as the cliche goes, the Bleus Brothers have two wins out of two and are within touching distance of the knock out stages.

A relieved France now head to Marseille, the southern tip of the country, and indeed the continent, to face Namibia, but for now it’s au revoir to our friends in the north, and as we sip on an ice cold Pelforth, it’s job done for Les bleus.

Salut

Fabian Galthie is probably the only national coach who can get away with wearing white trainers and a suit.

His coolness turned many a head when he took over as France coach at the 2019 Six Nations tournament.

One of the main talking points ever since has been his glasses. When we met at the 2019 launch I assumed he had just been doing a spot of welding, but I should have known better.

Those spectacles were a topic of conversation among supporters, journalists and players. At press briefings and post-match interviews, those bulky dark frames stood out whilst resting upon that noble French proboscis.

Those who know me realise all too well that I am no male fashion icon, so in a vain attempt to appear trendy I asked the man from Cahors all about them.

“These are plastic sports glasses that allow you to run, and to fall because I broke all my glasses before,” he explained, needing glasses once he reached his forties. “My eyesight deteriorated around 46-47 years old. I had to put on stronger glasses, but above all I had to stop breaking them”

They are in fact a model frequently worn by basketball players, and not welders.

The former scrum-half, who does not save himself during training for the Blues, often putting words into action, found his sturdy specs “with an optician friend in Toulon”, where he coached the RCT in 2017-2018. “They do not move, I can play squash, golf, I can run with the ball in training”, as for the futuristic look provided by the frames, everything is a matter of taste, my mum doesn’t like it and my kids don’t say anything, they’re nice to their daddy. “

Galthie has always done things in his own way, in November 2019, he chose to hold his first official press conference as France head coach in Montgesty, a village of 335 people of which his father is mayor. Galthie grew up in the village in the south-west of France and it was there “I discovered the sport that changed my life”.

Fabian has no intention of swapping his current frames for rose tinted spectacles during France quest for Rugby World Cup glory.

Even with those fabulous spectacles, Fabien Galthie refuses to look too far ahead and it’s a case of one game at a time for Les Bleus, he is making sure his charges keep their focus with as much accuracy as his striking optical attachments

Reds and Bordeaux go together like a horse and carriage, and last night at Stade de Bordeaux we witnessed a grand cru vintage, a full bodied mouth watering intoxication, the lingering aftertaste of this juicy offering will have been enjoyed well into the night on the banks of the Garonne, and indeed on the River Taff.

In Ancient Rome the colour red symbolised blood and courage, whilst in China, it is regarded as a vibrant optimistic colour symbolising success, happiness and warmth, along with good luck and wealth.

Apart from wealth, Wales performance incorporated of all those elements, a bonus point win against Fiji was beyond their fans wildest dreams, but the reality of this result lifts an enormous amount of pressure off the group.

It couldn’t have started much better for Wales, 8-0 up after 7 minutes thanks to a Josh Adams try and a Biggar penalty.

But Fiji hit back with 14 points in 5 minutes with converted tries from Nayacalevu and Tagitavivalu to give them an 18-14 lead.

A Biggar penalty and a 29th minute George North try put Wales in front (18-14) at half time.

Wales started the second period brightly and two converted tries from Louis Rees-Zammit and replacement hooker Elliott Dee gave Wales a commanding 30-14 lead.

But with the combination of Wales being Wales and Fiji being Fiji those of us from way out west knew in our bones that it was never going to be as simple as that.

On the 73rd minute Joshua’s Tuisova the human fridge crashed over, Teti Telea converted to reduce Wales lead to 10 points.

Five minutes later Mesake Doge’s unconverted try brought the scores to 31-26.

The flash backs to Nantes 2007 rumbled around a nation, and in the final act of a pulsating game Semi Radrada of all people knocked on with the line at his mercy.

As 3 million folks departed the area behind their sofas it was time to breathe.

Fiji’s two bonus points in defeat could be very influential in the outcome of this World Cup group, and as Wales prepare to face Portugal in Nice next Saturday Fiji face Australia the following day in what promises to be a pulsating encounter.

But for now……. Breathe

Friday night matches in Paris are familiar fare for Guinness Six Nations teams and their fans, but last night’s game between France and reigning World Champions New Zealand was a few notches above anything the northern suburb of Saint-Denis has witnessed in rugby and meteorological terms.

Having been present in the ice, snow the and cutting winds that sweep down Rue Henri Delaunay on February Fridays past, the contrasting twenty-nine degrees temperatures at kick off is much more acceptable.

Sadly France’s injury situation prevented me from using the sound bite “Danty’s Inferno” at every available opportunity but as an author you learn to take the rough with the smooth.

Obtaining a ticket at Stade de France was rarer than a hen’s tooth sprinkled with gold dust. Even in in my line of work there were over 1800 applicants for media accreditation, three times the available capacity of 600.

Those 80,000 plus souls who managed to get in witnessed quite a night.

Paris is a sporting utopia over the next twelve months, if you somehow manage to avoid the posters and billboards of RWC 2023 then the Paris 2024 Olympic baseball caps, key rings, badges that greet you at every shop will certainly remind you that the French capital is in full sporting mode.

The opening ceremony involved a lot of baguette throwing before Sir Bill Beaumont relived his French CSE oral exam, leading to a booing which descended into a grunt when President Macron headed to the mic to declare the tournament open.

Finally the Rugby began and within two minutes the hosts were lined up behind their own goal line after a well worked try from Mark Telea.

The boot of Thomas Ramos clicked away to give France a nervy 9-8 half time lead.

The second half started like the first with a try from Telea after 43 minutes but that was the final All Black scoring act of the match.

Ramos continued to kick like a mule and two tries from Damian Penaud and Melvyn Jaminet gave France a 27-13 victory.

The win lifts a huge amount of pressure off France, for the next few weeks at least and allows them the luxury of squad management in the next matches against Uruguay and Namibia.

Les Bleus clunked through the gears at times last night but they were chauffeured by 80,000 back seat drivers on a memorable night in Paris.

Autumn in the French capital is normally a relaxed tranquil time to stroll the boulevards, as the leaves begin to fall the colours add an extra dimension to this already beautiful city.

This year things are different, there are signs the bright red, orange and brown flora has a new kid on the block joining them, the black fern.

Blowing up from the south, the black fern threatens to spoil the native species dominance and lead to a long dark winter in the republic.

France have no intention of turning over a new leaf, but rather to continue with the power, beauty and brilliance that has served them so well over the last couple of years.

On Friday night the hopes and dreams of the host nation at Rugby World Cup 2023 will face a stern test when the opening game of the tournament takes place at Stade de France, following what will be an emotional opening ceremony.

Just over four years ago France were in total disarray, the public had fallen out of love with the national team, there was disharmony between the Top 14 and the French Federation. The transformation makes Lazarus look like an amateur.

England and Wales can maybe take some solace in how things can turn around when everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. But this week the focus is well and truly on Les Bleus, who in a rugby age when size is everything can still make your heart sing and propel you to edge of your plastic seat with angles of running that would defy Pythagoras.

France start their campaign in Paris before travelling to Lille, Marseille and Lyon capturing even more hearts and minds en route and then hopefully returning to Paris for the knock-out stages.

France have been hit by injuries in key positions so not everything in le jardin is looking rosy,

The All Blacks will have their leaf blowers turned up to the maximum hoping to blow away the challenge of Les Bleus on the opening night.

After so much anticipation the Rugby World Cup is just hours away.

Mike Pearce is the Author of The Bleus Brothers available from Amazon £7.99 post free. https://amzn.eu/d/6H8pN8D

A late August Sunday evening in Paris and the sights and sounds of summer are being played out to a backing track of rugby fever and nervous anticipation.

Even those relaxing on the banks of the Seine and canal Saint-Martin cannot escape the fact as they blink up in the setting sun to glance at posters showing the men that the whole French nation will be hoping can lift the Rugby World Cup on October 28 at Stade de France.

Heading to Saint-Denis during normal office hours, at the Guinness Six Nations in February and March, can be a chilling experience. The icy winds that blow through this flat expanse in northern Paris can cut like a knife, but tonight things are different.

The mild breeze blowing through the open windows of the RER train pulling out of Gare du Nord is a timely reminder that summer is still here, the normal rugby wear of padded jackets, scarves and hats have been replaced by T-shirts sunglasses and flip-flops.

Tonight France played their final Rugby World Cup warm up match against the 1991 and 1999 World Champions Australia.

The tournament starts in twelve days time here in the capital before spreading its wings to Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Saint-Etienne, Nantes, Nice, Toulouse and Bordeaux.

You really feel for the players on a night like this, any injury at this stage of the proceedings and their World Cup is probably over before it has even begun, yet they dare not let those dark thoughts enter their heads, holding back even the smallest percentage can lead to a self fulfilling prophecy.

Having already lost Romain Ntamack Galthie must have been tempted to wrap a few key personnel in cotton wool but they went in to this match fully loaded.

Jonathan Danty had no thoughts about self preservation throwing himself into the inferno, he knows no other way, his seventh minute try set France on the road to victory.

The laser like boot of Ramos took France to a 16-5 half time lead, but more tries followed in the second half.

Damian Penaud with the wonderful gait of a drunken man running downhill bagged a brace, and Villiere added a fourth.

For France and their fans the day ended better than they could possibly have hoped for with no injuries and a stirring victory.

As the RER train wound it’s way back to central Paris the talk from the human cargo had already turned to the match against the All Blacks and the start of what is sure to be a wonderful Rugby World Cup.