ntoine Dupont has insisted that France can deal with the strain of internet hosting the Rugby World Cup — as a result of Les Bleus’ personal ambitions outweigh the nation’s expectations.

France swept the board to win 12 from 12 Tests in a magical Six Nations Grand Slam-winning 2022 to push Fabien Galthie’s males to bookmakers’ favourites for final glory.

Ireland toppled France in Dublin this yr to assert a Grand Slam of their very own and take the world No1 spot, however Les Bleus are nonetheless anticipated to ship on residence soil. Galthie’s aspect tackle New Zealand on Friday night time to open the World Cup on the Stade de France, with the Haka among the many pre-match rituals to thrill supporters throughout the globe.

Toulouse scrum-half Dupont insists France can deal with any and all strain that comes their means as hosts, nonetheless.

“We all have a responsibility to do something great at this World Cup,” mentioned the France captain. “I’m captain, so I’m perhaps more in the limelight than the others, but we all want to write our names into the tournament’s record books, something no French side has managed to do.

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“There’s pressure, because we’re expected to do well and we’ve built up people’s hopes over the last four seasons. The pressure isn’t as high as the motivation and standards we set ourselves — or our ambition.”

New Zealand enter a World Cup within the uncommon place of being missed as favourites. They may not thoughts that, although, with the ability to go about their enterprise beneath the radar.

France are having none of that, nonetheless, and anticipate the hardest potential conflict on Friday. “The All Blacks remain the greatest team in the world in this competition, and they have several players with more than 100 caps,” mentioned Dupont.

“These are the people who know how to play in big games, and we can trust that they will be prepared to play their best rugby.”

Galthie is in little question on New Zealand’s enduring high quality, both.

“New Zealand have won the World Cup three times and have never lost a pool match — 31 wins in 31 matches since 1987,” mentioned Galthie. “In the history of our sport, they are the greatest team, that’s it. They will respond accordingly.”