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NewsTranscript
00:00 France is hosting the Rugby World Cup and the French have high expectations for their
00:10 team.
00:11 "It would be a shame as we enter the competition to be held back by pressure.
00:19 We need to turn this into an opportunity to take advantage of the energy fans are giving
00:23 us."
00:24 But as the French team get ready for their first match against the All Blacks on Friday,
00:30 they're having to cope with recent injuries, including Lok Paul Willemse, who's had to
00:35 withdraw.
00:36 "No one would want to be in his shoes.
00:40 As athletes we know that this is a very painful time, especially ahead of a World Cup, so
00:45 our thoughts are with him."
00:50 Enthusiasm for the World Cup is particularly high in Rue Melmaison, west of Paris, where
00:57 the French team has its base camp.
01:01 To welcome the players, the town hall and the local RAC rugby club have organised workshops
01:07 for families.
01:09 "We're going to look around, try out the workshops, have some father and son time and
01:16 enjoy ourselves."
01:18 "If someone hurts us, we don't scream at them, we don't...
01:23 It's nice, you know.
01:24 We can hit them afterwards."
01:25 France has never won a Rugby World Cup.
01:34 Last time it hosted was in 2007, when the team came in fourth place.
01:43 And with new management, star player Antoine Dupont as captain and a reel of top players,
01:49 fans feel France has a good shot of winning the tournament at home.
01:53 "We must respect the rules, and whether we win or lose, we must always respect the rules."