Can France’s rugby artists emulate Oscar success?
The French rugby team have won the Six Nations five times since 2000. But to succeed in 2012, they must play four matches in four weeks, writes Ben Monro-Davies.
In the week French actors stormed Hollywood, albeit silently, the French rugby team look set to continue their assault on a position they have found rather easier to conquer than the Oscars.
For the Six Nations, France are no Martin Scorceses, always missing out. Since its inception in 2000, France have won the tournament five times, three of those with a grand slam.
So far in 2012 they have won at home against Italy, away to Scotland. They would be heavy favourites for the grand slam but for the fact they will need to beat rivals Wales on the last day of the tournament – in Cardiff.
France have never had a better foundation from which to build towards world cup triumph in 2015.
Before then, on the next two Sundays France must beat, first, Ireland and then England on their home turf. Few expect them to fail, given they are playing at the Stade de France.
With their clubs awash with money and luring the best players away from the British isles, a respected national coach in Phillipe Saint-Andre, perhaps France have never had a better foundation from which to build towards the so far never achieved world cup triumph in 2015.
And yet beside Wales, France face another, more unusual foe – the weather. To explain: France were meant to play Ireland last month, but a Parisian deep freeze led to a last-minute postponement.
As a result, France will play four tests in four weeks, denied the rest weekend enjoyed by their rivals. To win four on the trot, given the attritional rate of international rugby, may be even too much for a nation of rugby-playing and acting artists.
Read more: Ben Monro-Davies writes on rugby and golf for Channel 4 News