France or Les Tricolores will come to the 2008 World Cup in hope rather than anticipation of progressing into the quarter-finals, though their best previous results have been as runners-up in 1954 and 1968. They do have a prolific try-scoring fullback lining up for them who hails from Newcastle in New South Wales. Jarred Taylor qualified for the French World Cup team under the residential rule. He was the top try-scorer in the French premiership this year.
France look to compete up front thanks to captain Jerome Guisset and Adel Fellous. But the forward most likely to attract attention is the second rower Jamal Fakir, the only concern is he is returning after a knee re-construction.
One star of the future to look out for is; French schoolboy international centre Teddy Sadaoui who has already attracted the eyes of talent scouts in Australia and England.
FRANCE WORLD CUP SQUAD:
Eric Anselme Leeds Rhinos
Jean-Philippe Baile Catalans Dragons
Jean-Christophe Borlin St Gaudens
Thomas Bosc Catalans Dragons
Laurent Carrasco Villeneuve RL
Remi Casty Catalans Dragons
Olivier Elima Catalans Dragons
Jamal Fakir Catalans Dragons
Adel Fellous Lezignan
Maxime Greseque Pia
Mathieu Griffi Catalans Dragons
Jerome Guisset (C) Catalans Dragons
Christophe Moly Carcassonne
Gregory Mounis Catalans Dragons
Justin Murphy Catalans Dragons
Dimitri Pelo Catalans Dragons
Sebastien Planas Toulouse
Sebastien Raguin Catalans Dragons
Julien Rinaldi Harlequins
Teddy Sadaoui Carcassonne
Jared Taylor Lezignan
John Wilson Catalans Dragons
James Wynne Lezignan