24 October:  Once again the French miss out on the William Webb Ellis trophy, possibly better known as the Rugby World Cup although the Australians call it “Bill”! France has been runner up more than any other rugby nation. Every 12 years since the inauguration of the World Cup in 1987 France have had the chance of getting their name on “Bill,” but this is the closest they've ever been and you couldn't get much closer. No one thought they had a chance after losing to lowly Tonga 14 – 19 and losing heavily to New Zealand 17 – 37 in the pool matches. France have always been known for their three-quarter line flair which clicks into gear it seems when they feel like it! And yet during this World Cup their forwards were exceptional, battling the mighty forces of Wales and finally New Zealand. You could say that in crucial games right from the quarter-finals through to the final it has been a case of failed penalties that brought about the dramatic final result where one point separated the runner-up France from the conquering hero New Zealand 7 - 8.