The spirit of 'Ovalie' to drive France to World Cup glory?

FEATURE: There is a region in south-west France where the walls of bars and bedrooms are adorned not with pictures of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele but Antoine Dupont, Cyril Baille and Romain Ntamack.

This is the 'Ovalie', a region where rugby is king, the world of the oval ball.

The village of Saint-Sulpice-sur-Leze, which dates from the 13th century and lies around 30 kilometres south of Toulouse, is just one example of this: with a population of just over 2,000 village life revolves around the fortunes of its rugby club.

The club has been going since 1912 and although they have never won any titles, there is always a good turnout when the team takes the field at the Gaston-Sauret stadium for their latest clash in Federale 1 - the highest level of amateur rugby in France.

Last season they missed the chance for promotion to the fourth-tier National Two when they narrowly lost a quarter-final play-off to Valence d'Agen. Given the size of the village, though, the club is punching well above its weight, spurred on by the enthusiasm of the community.

Off the field, a giant mural proclaiming "100 years of rugby passion" is a reminder of the village's love affair with the game and there is no doubt there will be a sizeable gathering at the club to watch France's World Cup opener against New Zealand on September 8.

The French have reached the World Cup final three times, in 1987, 1999 and 2011, but this time they are tipped to collect their first title.

Six Nations runners-up, Fabien Galthie's side have played some sensational rugby with captain Dupont the new general at scrumhalf.

Apart from the All Blacks, France also have Italy, Uruguay and Namibia in their Pool A.

Their path to the final, however, is likely to hit a roadbump in the quarter-finals when they are likely to meet either holders South Africa or Six Nations champions Ireland - one of only two teams to beat them since Australia in July 2021.

But with home advantage and the 'Ovalie' behind them, anything is possible for Les Bleus.

*PHOTOS by Valentine Chapuis