On a cool, clear night in Paris, it was France who kept the calmest of heads when all others around the northern hemisphere have been losing theirs. The French trailed by 11 points and then later by seven but managed to claw themselves to a one-point victory against a New Zealand side which arrived in the French capital on the back of successive victories in both Twickenham and Dublin respectively.
With other European sides struggling to close out matches against the top nations, it was telling that Fabien Galthié’s side managed to get the job done, and the majority of the 80,000 present at the Stade de France will have departed into the night overjoyed; not necessarily by the performance – France at times were scruffy and ragged – but history will remember Les Bleus as the victors and the All Blacks defeated. The margin of victory, just one point, is meaningless in the final analysis.
Saturday night’s fixture, steeped in history and tradition, marked the two sides’ first meeting since last year’s World Cup opener on the same turf and, 14 months on, nothing changed in terms of the result. Whereas France were the great showmen of last year’s World Cup, despite their quarter-final exit – but on Saturday night it was New Zealand who played the more stylish and prettier rugby.
France scored three tries – through debutant full-back Romain Buros, flanker Paul Boudehent and wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey. But the former of those two scores were straight out the route-one playbook. Bielle-Biarrey’s try was thrilling, the wing haring after a Thomas Ramos upfield hack, but the catalyst was a New Zealand error. With the ball and without their first-choice fly-half, Romain Ntamack, France still look a shadow of their former attacking selves. Of course the return of the world’s best player Antoine Dupont, after his summer Olympics heroics, will always aid an offensive effort.
A fellow French Olympics hero, Leon Marchand, in the crowd at the Stade de France and cheered maniacally on the big screen, will have admired the effort of France’s skipper.
New Zealand have impressed in successive victories against England and Ireland and, while some of their ball play was magnificent in Paris, their lack of application in the second half will rankle. The All Blacks, spearheaded by the colossal Tamaiti Williams at loosehead, had France on the ropes at half-time; not only were the visitors well worth their seven-point lead but, critically, it should have been greater. Williams was demolishing the French scrum – indeed, Cam Roigard’s first-half try came off the back of pressure there – and the All Blacks were making a mockery of France’s line-out, burgling three on the trot.
The first New Zealand score was one for the highlights reel, too. Sublime handling in midfield from Williams and Tupou Vaa’i sent Ardie Savea surging into space, and the flanker’s offload to the supporting Peter Lakai was the embodiment of class. A beauty of a score from a team and players who, when they get it right, play beautifully. Roigard then picked the pocket of Grégory Alldritt at the scrum – intercepting a pop to Dupont – and scooted away to score untouched.
On the back of some terrifying surges from standout Emmanuel Meafou, Buros crossed, but a Thibaud Flament offside allowed Beauden Barrett to establish a seven-point half-time lead.
At that stage, New Zealand looked comfortable, cruising. But a quickfire double from France sowed seeds of doubt in the All Blacks and when that happens, with the Stade de France rocking, it can be very difficult to turn the tide. First, Boudehent powered over from a maul and then came Bielle-Biarrey’s chance. Vaa’i threw a risky offload in the wide channels and Ramos picked up the loose ball and hacked downfield for Bielle-Biarrey to chase, the young wing beating both Sevu Reece and Anton Lienert-Brown to score.
Replacement Damian McKenzie and Ramos traded penalties for the rest of the half but the Kiwi could never quite nudge his side in front. Then France finished the game with Dupont at fly-half.
They should be applauded, despite the superior quality of New Zealand’s handling and lines of running, for keeping the All Blacks at arm’s length and seeing the job home. That, as the rest of the northern hemisphere is learning, is all that matters.
Match details
Scoring sequence: 3-0 Ramos pen, 3-5 Lakai try, 3-7 B Barrett con, 3-12 Roigard try, 3-14 B Barrett con, 8-14 Buros try, 10-14 Ramos con, 10-17 B Barrett pen, 15-17 Boudehent try, 17-17 Ramos con, 22-17 Bielle-Biarrey try, 24-17 Ramos con, 24-20 McKenzie pen, 27-20 Ramos pen, 27-23 McKenzie pen, 27-26 McKenzie pen, 30-26 Ramos pen, 30-29 McKenzie pen. HT: 10-17
France: R Buros (Le Garrec 67); G Villiere, G Fickou, Y Moefana (Gailleton 59), L Bielle-Biarrey; T Ramos, A Dupont (captain); J-B Gros (Wardi 48), P Mauvaka (Marchand 48), T Tatafu (Colombe 9), T Flament, E Meafou (Taofifenua 48, Ollivon 55), P Boudehent (Mauvaka 69), A Roumat, G Alldritt (Guillard 48).
New Zealand: W Jordan; S Reece (McKenzie 52), R Ioane, J Barrett (Lienert-Brown 36), C Clarke; B Barrett, C Roigard (Ratima 52); T Williams (Tu’ungafasi 61), C Taylor (Aumua 61), T Lomax (Tosi 61), S Barrett (c), T Vaa’i (Tuipulotu 54), S Finau (Lakai 2), A Savea, W Sititi.
Referee: N Amashukeli
Attendance: 80,000
10:26 PM GMT
Victory for France
10:23 PM GMT
Well summed up
Wow. Throwing attacking shots until the very death and then having New Zealand chuck the proverbial at them giving up about a metre in the process. Hell of an end to a Test match. France win. 30-29. 46 blokes out on their feet. 👏🏽@autumnnations
— Tom May (@TomMay1) November 16, 2024
10:20 PM GMT
Another trophy for Mr. Dupont
10:19 PM GMT
Ardie Savea speaking post-match
“We are extremely disappointed. We put ourselves right in there to win the game but we made silly mistakes and turned the ball over and a quality side will punish you, which they did. Pretty gutted.
“Of course you have to credit them ]for their second half performance]. We felt like we were in control and we were pretty accurate in the first half. In the second half we just let them into the game. They applied pressure on us and we could not handle it. Although I am extremely disappointed, I am also proud.
“We did not hit it [targets] tonight. We came here to win everything and we did not do that tonight. That is credit to France. We have to look in the mirror as we did not put the nail in the coffin.”
10:14 PM GMT
The thoughts of France lock Thibaud Flament
“It is always a very tough game against New Zealand. We knew during the training week it would be a tough battle as they are coming off two wins. We are very happy and it could have gone either way.
“We did not start in the right way and they put us under pressure. We managed to come back but they stayed in the fight until the end.
“We needed to trust our process and tactics in the second half and I think it paid off as we had more detail.”
10:11 PM GMT
Joy for France
10:06 PM GMT
The winning moment for France
10:04 PM GMT
Tomorrow’s games
Italy vs Georgia
Wales vs Australia
10:03 PM GMT
Today’s Autumn Nations Series results
Scotland 59-21 Portugal
England 20-29 South Africa
France 30-29 New Zealand
10:02 PM GMT
Probably encapsulates not only the closing stages but the game as a whole
09:59 PM GMT
Full-time
Jordan is held up and that is it; the end of one hell of a Test match. France clinch it 30-29 in front of a jubilant Stade de France.
09:57 PM GMT
79 mins: France 30 New Zealand 29
New Zealand knock on on the edge of their 22. Ramos then tries an audacious crossfield kick which looks like it will bounce into the path of Bielle-Biarrey but it bounces over his head. New Zealand have a line-out in their 22 with seconds remaining.
09:56 PM GMT
78 mins: France 30 New Zealand 29
It looks like Bielle-Biarrey will get to it ahead of Savea but McKenzie manages to dive on the loose ball. France are correctly punished for going off their feet and New Zealand have the penalty not far from their own line. They are going to have to attack from deep.
09:55 PM GMT
77 mins: France 30 New Zealand 29
New Zealand make a break into the France half through McKenzie and Jordan but Villiere intercepts. Somehow New Zealand win the ball back but Ioane knocks on. France then kick the ball ahead and there is a foot race…
09:52 PM GMT
PENALTY NEW ZEALAND!
Despite the boos, McKenzie gets it and the score is now 30-29 with five minutes left. Talk about tension!
09:52 PM GMT
74 mins: France 30 New Zealand 26
A dangerous clear-out by France gives New Zealand a penalty just inside the France half and it will be another shot at goal. McKenzie and Ramos have been exchanging penalties for the last 20 minutes and the former has the chance to make it a one-point game.
09:50 PM GMT
PENALTY FRANCE!
Ramos lands it and that could be a massive three points.
09:49 PM GMT
72 mins: France 27 New Zealand 26
New Zealand are penalised for a neck roll not far outside their own 22 which will give France the chance to extend their lead to four points with around eight minutes to go. Tu’ungafasi is the guilty party.
09:45 PM GMT
68 mins: France 27 New Zealand 26
This is an interesting change. Le Garrec is on for Buros, so Le Garrec will be at nine, Dupont will move out to ten and Ramos will play in probably his best position of 15.
09:44 PM GMT
PENALTY NEW ZEALAND!
Just one point in it now.
09:44 PM GMT
67 mins: France 27 New Zealand 23
France are punished for not rolling away. The penalty is right in front of the posts so New Zealand will go for goal.
09:42 PM GMT
65 mins: France 27 New Zealand 23
France are attacking inside the New Zealand 22 but Jordan intercepts and kicks downfield. It goes all the way into the France 22 and a forward pass by the hosts gifts New Zealand a scrum. That is around an 80-metre swing. That could be a huge moment in the game. France were in the red zone but now New Zealand are.
09:40 PM GMT
63 mins: France 27 New Zealand 23
New Zealand have changed their whole front-row. Aumua, Tu’ungafasi and Tosi replace Taylor, Williams and Lomax.
That is a big error from Ratima, who is told to use it at the ruck and does not so France are given the scrum.
09:39 PM GMT
PENALTY NEW ZEALAND!
Another simple three for McKenzie and again it is a four-point game.
09:38 PM GMT
61 mins: France 27 New Zealand 20
New Zealand make great ground into the France 22 but, at the crucial moment, they lose possession just before the French line. The away side will feel they have left a few points out there with the chances they have spurned.
Not long after though they are back on the attack and they are awarded a penalty on the edge of the France 22. They point to the posts…
09:34 PM GMT
PENALTY FRANCE!
Ramos gets it and France’s seven-point lead is restored.
09:33 PM GMT
57 mins: France 24 New Zealand 20
France set the maul and have a penalty as Taylor is the guilty part again, this time for side entry. This penalty is fairly central and this time, sensibly, they go for the easy three.
09:32 PM GMT
56 mins: France 24 New Zealand 20
A coach killer from New Zealand. Straight from the kick-off Taylor is penalised for obstruction but, looking at the replays, that looks slightly harsh. France turn down the chance of three points and go to the corner.
09:30 PM GMT
PENALTY NEW ZEALAND!
An easy three points for McKenzie and it is now a four-point game.
09:30 PM GMT
54 mins: France 24 New Zealand 17
New Zealand have a penalty advantage as Williams storms towards the line. Just as he tries to offload, which would have almost certainly led to a try had he got it off, he knocks on but we go back to the penalty. It should be a simple three points for the visitors.
09:28 PM GMT
53 mins: France 24 New Zealand 17
Not often you see Dupont make mistakes but his box kick goes out on the full.
New Zealand have made a double change in the backs as Ratima and McKenzie replace Roigard and Reece.
France steal the line-out and can clear.
09:27 PM GMT
TRY! Bielle-Biarrey gives France the lead
In just 10 minutes after half-time, France have turned this game around. New Zealand make a break in midfield into the French half but a loose offload from Vaai goes to ground. Ramos picks up and kicks ahead, with nothing and no-one able to prevent Bielle-Biarrey from sprinting onto the end of it to score. Ramos gets the conversion and France now lead by seven points.
09:24 PM GMT
49 mins: France 17 New Zealand 17
France are making changes, four in total and all in the pack. Marchand, Wardi, Taofifenua and Guillard are on for Mauvaka, Gros, Meafou and Alldritt.
09:22 PM GMT
48 mins: France 17 New Zealand 17
New Zealand make good ground towards the France 22 and now they enter into the red zone. They are into double digit phases but as they get within 10 metres of the French line Clarke is tackled into touch by Villiere.
09:18 PM GMT
TRY! Powerful maul sees Boudehent go over
Exactly the start to this second half that the hsost needed and that will get the home crowd going. They win the line-out and the maul is too powerful for New Zealand to control. Boudehent is the man to dot it down. Ramos gets the conversion and we are all square in the Stade de France.
09:17 PM GMT
43 mins: France 10 New Zealand 17
Colombe puts a hit on Jordan that you probably could hear from Mars. Wow that made some noise!
Meafou makes a barnstorming run into the New Zealand 22. He is so big it looks at times like it is an adult playing against children.
Roumat comes within inches of the line but is just short. The French knock on but they have a penalty five metres out as Reece is caught offside. It actually came off Mauvaka’s head but New Zealand had regained it anyway. France go to the corner…
09:14 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way at the Stade de France. Will the visitors see this out to make it three wins from three on their European tour or can the hosts fight back?
09:06 PM GMT
HT verdict
The set piece is absolutely killing France here. Tevita Tatafu’s departure at tighthead saw the arrival of Georges-Henri Colombe but he was destroyed in the first half by Tamaiti Williams, the best player on the pitch so far. The French line-out is faltering, too, with three losses. If they are to overturn a seven-point deficit, this area needs urgent, serious attention.
08:58 PM GMT
Half-time
With the clock going into the red, B Barrett attempts a drop goal from pretty much the halfway line but he cannot land it. That is the final act of that first half and New Zealand lead by seven points at the break.
08:54 PM GMT
PENALTY NEW ZEALAND!
It is a fairly simple kick, which probably made it an easier decision. The visitors lead by seven with just under four minutes remaining in this first half.
New Zealand have been forced into a change with J Barrett going off, replaced by Lienert-Brown.
08:53 PM GMT
35 mins: France 10 New Zealand 14
As New Zealand approach the French 22, they are given a penalty for offside. Will they go for goal or opt for the posts? The answer; a shot at three points.
08:51 PM GMT
TRY! Debutant Buros scores
France are getting closer and closer to the New Zealand line. After a number of phases for the forwards, Dupont sends it into the hands of the backs and it is the debutant Buros who powers over despite Reece’s best efforts. It is a simple conversion for Ramos and it is now just a four-point game.
08:47 PM GMT
29 mins: France 3 New Zealand 14
France are attacking into the New Zealand 22 after a break by Dupont and a looping pass is nearly intercepted by Jordan but is knocked on. France are saying it was deliberate but it is just a knock-on.
08:46 PM GMT
TRY! Roigard opportunism earns visitors second score
The France scrum is under pressure on the edge of their own 22. Alldritt manages to pick from the base of the scrum but, as he makes contact with Roigard, the New Zealand scrum-half somehow manages to rip the ball away from the France number eight and sprints over untouched. The conversion is successful and New Zealand now lead by 11 points.
08:39 PM GMT
23 mins: France 3 New Zealand 7
That is a real show of strength by the New Zealand pack. They probably should have won a penalty before a reset but on the second go they dominate the scrum and win the penalty.
08:37 PM GMT
21 mins: France 3 New Zealand 7
Dupont picks out Bielle-Biarrey with a neat crossfield kick inside the New Zealand half. The France winger puts a little kick of his own through but Jordan blocks with his legs and it goes out for a France line-out just inside the New Zealand 22. The hosts knock it on and the scrum will go to the visitors.
08:35 PM GMT
19 mins: France 3 New Zealand 7
This is an open, end-to-end game with some massive hits, especially from Auckland-born Meafou, sprinkled in.
08:32 PM GMT
16 mins: France 3 New Zealand 7
New Zealand have a penalty on halfway and kick into the France 22 for another red zone entry. They waste another opportunity as they do not stay on their feet.
Ramos takes the penalty quickly and hoofs it downfield. It looks like it will roll dead but it slows up. Jordan dots down just before Dupont came sliding in. I am not sure Jordan knew just how close Dupont was.
08:30 PM GMT
14 mins: France 3 New Zealand 7
New Zealand are into the France 22 but the chance is gone as the visitors are punished for, you guessed it, holding on!
08:28 PM GMT
12 mins: France 3 New Zealand 7
The referee is hot on the ball carrier holding on and Gros is the latest to be penalised, with Williams rewarded with the jackal.
08:26 PM GMT
10 mins: France 3 New Zealand 7
Tatafu has not been able to continue for much longer as he is off, replaced by Colombe.
That will annoy Scott Robertson; not long after the restart, before New Zealand can clear their lines, they are penalised for holding inside their own 22. That is what you call a coach killer. France kick to the corner.
But that is superb defence by the visitors, who force the knock-on and clear their lines.
08:25 PM GMT
TRY! Substitute Lakai powers over
A long, looping pass by Roigard is nearly intercepted by Villiere but instead finds the hands of Savea, who runs down the left-hand touchline. New Zealand then are given a penalty advantage and march into the France 22. Clarke finds Savea outside him, who cuts inside and powers through a few tackles before offloading to Lakai, who finds his way over the line despite the efforts of Alldritt. The conversion is good and New Zealand lead by four points.
08:22 PM GMT
PENALTY FRANCE!
Ramos belts it from halfway and lands it with some ease; that had at least a few more yards on that one.
08:21 PM GMT
6 mins: France 0 New Zealand 0
France win the penalty at the scrum and, from the halfway line, they opt for goal.
08:20 PM GMT
5 mins: France 0 New Zealand 0
It has been a slightly scrappy start with plenty of handling errors from both sides, the latest a knock-on from New Zealand.
08:19 PM GMT
4 mins: France 0 New Zealand 0
Roumat was warned but does not heed the referee’s advice and is penalised for having his hands on the ground at the breakdown. New Zealand kick the penalty from halfway towards the France 10-metre line.
08:17 PM GMT
2 mins: France 0 New Zealand 0
Quick handling and offloads sets France moving into the New Zealand half. They get quick ball and a crossfield kick from Ramos finds Bielle-Biarrey on the left-hand touchline. He jumps to catch it and offloads inside to keep it in play. France go through a few more phases but knock on. The medics are then called on as Tatafu for France and Finau for New Zealand are hurt. Finau walks off gingerly and we may not see him again tonight. As he tried to tackle Tatafu he got his head in the wrong place and hit Tatafu’s knee. Lakai is on for Finau. Tatafu is continuing for now.
08:13 PM GMT
Kick-off
Before kick-off we have the customary haka. The Stade de France is in darkness apart from two spots; two shining lights on the French and New Zealand teams. Quite the scene ahead of a seismic tussle.
We are under way at the Stade de France. As Charles Richardson said, expect fireworks!
08:05 PM GMT
Kick-off fast approaching
Both sides have emerged from the tunnel at the Stade de France and it is time for the national anthems. I have to admit that these are two of my favourites in the rugby world. “God Defend New Zealand” followed by “La Marseillaise”.
Then time for the haka.
All eyes might have been on Twickenham back home, but over the Channel a battle is brewing. France, after an international season which so far has not quite lived up to the expectations set of the past four years of Fabien Galthié’s reign, are hugely up for this; a match against New Zealand, a rivalry full of history, with the All Blacks unbeaten this autumn.
As I queued for entry to the ground, renditions of La Marseillaise and Allez Les Bleus were set off in the lines for security checks. The atmosphere is crackling at a sold-out Stade de France. Expect fireworks.
07:56 PM GMT
Home support out in force
07:54 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams
France starting XV: Buros, Villiere, Fickou, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey, Ramos, Dupont (captain); Gros, Mauvaka, Tatafu, Flament, Meafou, Boudehent, Roumat, Alldritt.
Replacements: Marchand, Wardi, Colombe, R Taofifenua, Guillard, Ollivon, Le Garrec, Gailleton.
New Zealand starting XV: Jordan, Reece, Ioane, J Barrett, Clarke, B Barrett, Roigard; Williams, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (captain), Vaa’i, Finau, Savea, Sititi.
Replacements: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Lakai, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, McKenzie.
Interestingly there is no Matthieu Jalibert in the matchday squad for France tonight, with rumours suggesting he has gone home to Bordeaux with Thomas Ramos being given the starting gig at fly-half. With no Romain Ntamack, it is a little surprising that Ramos has been given the nod at 10 ahead of Jalibert.
07:46 PM GMT
New Zealand preparing
Will Jordan scored the only try in New Zealand’s win over Ireland eight days ago.
07:41 PM GMT
Dupont gearing up
07:36 PM GMT
All over at Twickenham
South Africa are the victors, beating England 29-20 to consign England to a third straight defeat in this Autumn Nations Series and five straight stretching back to the summer. You can follow all the reaction to that match right here.
07:32 PM GMT
Get your fix
07:29 PM GMT
Coin toss
07:24 PM GMT
Telegraph Rugby Podcast
Go beyond the back pages and join the Telegraph’s rugby experts and big name guests as they tackle the game’s most interesting trends, themes and talking points. Our unrivalled rugby coverage, now available on the move! New episodes out Mondays.
07:19 PM GMT
Dupont to join breakaway league?
“Finn Russell and Antoine Dupont feature on a global franchise league wish list under ambitious plans to target the world’s best players on double-your-money deals and kick-start a new era of rugby.
“A source informed Telegraph Sport that Scotland fly-half Russell has been approached to be the headline attraction from the Gallagher Premiership to join the project. It is also thought Dupont, the France scrum-half, will be a major target for the USA-backed competition, with the 28-year-old said to personify “the best of the best”. Bringing in Dupont, a source indicated, would underline the ambition of the competition.”
For more on this huge story, click here.
07:13 PM GMT
Hosts arrive
07:10 PM GMT
Into the closing stages at Twickenham
England are taking on South Africa and it is the visitors who lead as they head into the final quarter. They lead 29-20 and you can follow the closing stages with our live blog.
07:06 PM GMT
Team news
France have made four changes from their comprehensive win over Japan. In the backs there are three alterations as Romain Buros, Gabin Villiere and Gael Fickou replace Leo Barre, Theo Attissogbe and Emilien Gailleton. Up front in the forwards Paul Boudehent replaces the injured Francois Cros.
France starting XV: Buros, Villiere, Fickou, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey, Ramos, Dupont (captain); Gros, Mauvaka, Tatafu, Flament, Meafou, Boudehent, Roumat, Alldritt.
Replacements: Marchand, Wardi, Colombe, R Taofifenua, Guillard, Ollivon, Le Garrec, Gailleton.
Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett, who missed the win over Ireland, return to the starting lineup, replacing Asafo Aumua and Damian McKenzie. In the back-row, Sam Cane is out so Samipeni Finau comes into the starting XV. Cam Roigard starts at scrum-half and Sevu Reece replaces the injured Mark Tele’a on the wing.
New Zealand starting XV: Jordan, Reece, Ioane, J Barrett, Clarke, B Barrett, Roigard; Williams, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (captain), Vaa’i, Finau, Savea, Sititi.
Replacements: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Lakai, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, McKenzie.
06:58 PM GMT
Heavyweight battle in Paris
We have a thrilling game in store for you on this Saturday night as France host New Zealand at the Stade de France in the Autumn Nations Series. Both sides come into this clash off the back of wins. It was a comfortable start to their Autumn campaign for France as they thrashed Japan 52-12 last Saturday under the lights in Paris. Scrum-half sensation Antoine Dupont made his return to the France XV’s side last weekend after winning gold in the Paris Olympics Sevens tournament and it looked like he had never been away. New Zealand backed up their win over England at the start of the month with a 23-13 win over Ireland in Dublin eight days ago to make it two wins from two on their European tour.
New Zealand have two young scrum-halves in their ranks this weekend in the form of Cam Roigard, who starts, and Cortez Ratima. Their assistant coach Scott Hansen has said they are looking forward to taking on the challenge of taking on Dupont.
“They will be inspired to play against, essentially, the master on the weekend. He is an absolute pleasure to watch. He is out there, he loves the game, he plays with great passion, he is obviously a great leader. He is a phenomenal player and one I have watched for many years and really enjoyed watching him. Many would say he is one of the greatest already. You want to see superstars. It is what grows the game. It is what makes young girls and boys want to play rugby and we want to see him play.”
Damian Penaud, who had to withdraw from the victory over Japan due to illness, is still not available for France tonight and Francois Cros has been ruled out due to a head injury during the Japan game. New Zealand have been dealt a few injury blows of their own ahead of tonight’s game. Sam Cane, Mark Tele’a and Sam Darry have been ruled out, so they have called up Fabian Holland, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Chay Fihaki.
This was the scene and fixture that kicked off last year’s World Cup, with the hosts France running out 27-13 winners. A thrilling game in store under the nights at the Stade de France; what more could you ask for from a Saturday night?
