A World Cup is a moment out of time. A moment you prepare for over several years. With obstacles, disappointments, hope. All for a month of competition that flies by at a mad speed. And with results that, on the French side, often fall short. France were swept aside at Twickenham, the temple of world rugby, by the Black Ferns (42-26). The upshot: a sad fourth place, both predictable and, above all, frustrating. Predictable because France’s run was relatively easy to forecast.

Marine Ménager and her team-mates brushed aside Italy (24-0), Brazil (84-5) and South Africa (57-10) in the pool stage. Nothing very surprising so far, even if the performances were not always perfect. You did not need to be a certified bookmaker to work out that France’s real World Cup would begin in the quarter-final. Sure enough. Even that quarter-final looked like a solo ride for the players of the Mignot-Ortiz duo, against a usually weak Ireland. And yet. In chaotic weather in Exeter, the French were submerged for long spells. The French ship was rolling in every direction. Before finding the right course and finally pulling clear late on (18-13).

Hopes of an upset against the Red Roses in the semi-final were fading. Firstly because France could not count on Manae Feleu, Axelle Berthoumieu and, above all, Joanna Grisez. Even more so when you rewound the tape and saw the level shown against Ireland. Except that this semi-final reminded everyone that every match is different. That in the big occasions the mental side can shift. And that solidarity can hold up a whole building. Courage, though, is not enough.

For all the battle they put up, the fine moves and the aggression of the opening exchanges, the French again came up against stronger opponents. More professional, too, and more clinical. With a better bench and a control that held even when things were not going their way. At the final whistle, the gallant fighters let a few tears escape. Inevitably, the journey had ended once again at the semi-final stage. Yes, but there was still one match left, to save face, to finish on a good note, to thank the players who were about to retire or quite simply to lay the first stone of the team’s future. And against New Zealand, no less.

Record audiences

There too, Gabrielle Vernier and her team-mates tried everything. They even scored three tries in a row and came close to a wild comeback. Not enough. More than 40 points conceded, a disappointing fourth place and the end of the road. Maddening but logical. Straight afterwards, the Red Roses – led by an exceptional Ellie Kildunne – walked all over Canada to land the holy grail. Ruthless and entirely predictable. A failure always allows you to learn. Whatever anyone says, the gap between England and France remains enormous. It is now up to the new generation, embodied notably by the likes of Léa Champon, to take over. It is up to the federation to keep structuring the women’s game. To get close to full professionalism. Otherwise, the disillusions will keep coming.

The only satisfaction of this World Cup was the very strong viewing figures recorded by TF1, with almost 4 million watching the semi-final against England. France’s next assignment is the 2026 Six Nations and an opening match against Italy on 11 April. With the desire to turn the page and look towards a brighter future.