THE World Cup’s downsizing means France are one of only two European nations in the men’s tournament. They haven’t made it to the last four in the modern era, and that isn’t likely to change this year.

Having seen off Ukraine, Wales and Jamaica to make it through qualifying, the step up in opposition will be huge – Samoa beat them 62-4 at the last World Cup, while their last two matches against England finished 64-0 and 40-8.

Lebanon, with whom they were meant to have a two-match home series in 2024, only for a row over player release to see the prospective tourists pull out, present the only realistic shot at a victory, in the last of their three group fixtures.

In one positive, Toulouse’s impressive return to Super League, armed with top French talent like Mathieu Jussaume and César Rougé, gives the national side more players with top-level experience.

KEY PLAYERS

MATHIEU JUSSAUME has been a revelation in Super League for Toulouse as a hard-running and often try-scoring back-rower. He’s only played once before for France, but now demands a place in the side.

It hasn’t been such a happy season for Arthur Mourgue, Hull KR’s treble-winning full-back last year but injured for most of this one, but he’s the most dangerous player in the French back division.

And bowing out on the biggest stage will be captain Ben Garcia, retiring at 33 to become the Dragons’ sporting director, but not before playing at a fourth World Cup.

COACH

A former French international playmaker, Laurent Frayssinous has been in charge of the national side since 2021. He will rejoin the coaching staff at Catalans, where he previously spent four-and-a-half years as head coach, after the tournament, combining the two roles, as he did when he was an assistant at St Helens.

SQUAD

Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet (Catalans Dragons), Lambert Belmas (Toulouse Olympique), Amir Bourouh (Hull FC), Julian Bousquet (Catalans Dragons), Tiaki Chan (Toulouse Olympique), Mathieu Cozza (Huddersfield Giants), Alrix Da Costa (Catalans Dragons), Léo Darrélatour (Catalans Dragons), Jordan Dezaria (Hull KR), Joe Drodrolagi (Carcassonne), Théo Fages (Pia), Ben Garcia (Catalans Dragons), Louis Grossemy (Toulouse Olympique), Mathieu Jussaume (Toulouse Olympique), Thomas Lacans (Toulouse Olympique), Benjamin Laguerre (Toulouse Olympique), Arthur Mourgue (Hull KR), Romain Navarrete (Catalans Dragons), Arthur Romano (Hull FC), César Rougé (Toulouse Olympique), Latrell Siegwalt (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Roméo Tropis (Toulouse Olympique), Fouad Yaha (Albi).