France put World Cup pain behind them with unbeaten run in November

Lock Emmanuel Meafou insists France have moved on from the heartbreak of last year’s Rugby World Cup exit as they set their sights on 2027. Les Bleus suffered a disappointing quarter-final exit, which brought an end to the nation’s hopes of World Cup glory on home soil.

Before the sport’s showpiece event got underway in early September, France were widely considered one of the favourites to challenge for the top prize. Antoine Dupont led the charge as the team’s captain, with Les Bleus boasting world-class talent across the board.

France started their pursuit of the Webb Ellis Cup with a statement 27-13 win over New Zealand at Stade de France, which was the All Blacks’ first-ever loss in pool play. Les Bleus remained unbeaten until the quarter-finals where they were met by the colossus that is the Springboks.

Winger Cheslin Kolbe charged down a conversion attempt from Thomas Ramos’ which caught fans by surprise at the time, and has since turned into one of the more iconic moments from South Africa’s run to a second successive World Cup crown. They won that match 29-28.

It’s been about 13 months and one week since that all-time classic World Cup eliminator, and while history can’t be rewritten, France have taken the lessons and moved on. On Friday, France completed a clean sweep of wins in the Autumn Nations Series with a 27-13 win over Argentina.

“As a team, the inexperience that we’ve had and throughout this tournament being able to play the boys wherever they are and whatever position, and just being able to adapt from zero to 80 minutes,” Meafou said on the post-game broadcast.

“Credit to the staff and all the players but I think it’s a team effort and it’s showing. We’ve got three wins from three and we’ll continue to build that into Six Nations next year.

“We’re over last World Cup and our sights are on the next World Cup,” he added.

“We’ve got our sights for that World Cup but it starts with these next few Tests in the Six Nations and we’ll take the three wins that we’ve had this November and we’ll celebrate that.”

France’s clinical win over Argentina follows their dominant win over Eddie Jones’ Japan and a nerve-wracking victory against Scott Robertson’s All Blacks. They’re three from three in November, which brings a supremely positive end to their international calendar year.

Antoine Dupont was once again among the standouts for Les Bleus as they shot out of the blocks with an early try to Thibaud Flament. Flyhalf Thomas Ramos was accurate off the kicking tee once again as the hosts took a 13-6 lead midway through the first term.

Right winger Gabin Villiere scored a five-pointer in the 32^nd minute, and the man on the left edge Louis Bielle-Biarrey came within inches of scoring a couple of minutes later before a penalty try was awarded in France’s favour.

Bielle-Biarrey would score later on in the match after showcasing his elite quickness with a grubber kick and chase in the 57^th minute. France led 37-16, and while they didn’t score in the final quarter of play, their defence did enough to keep Los Pumas at bay.

“We knew it was going to be an 80-minute game,” Meafou reflected at the stage of the interview.

“We saw last week how they went full 80 with a solid Irish team so we knew it was going to be hard defensively and even in attack.

“We knew we’re gonna have to front up but we’re happy with the win and we’ll go enjoy a bit of time off before we head back to club rugby.”