Watch out! French want to celebrate
France coach Fabien Gathie has labelled Saturday's (NZT) opening game of the Rugby World Cup against the All Blacks as a celebration of what rugby means to his side and his country.
Galthie told media when announcing France's team the All Blacks were 'a magnificent first opponent."
But the game also reflected what rugby meant to his side.
"We've been passionate about the game since we were kids. We love the oval ball, and to be able to take part in the best that our sport has to offer, we're so happy.
"We're trying to take in the moment, all the best teams in the world arriving here on our soil to compete for seven weeks in what is the most beautiful, the best of our rugby, this competition.
"What could be better than New Zealand? I've said it before, and I'll repeat it: this team hasn't lost a match in the qualifying [pool] phase since the World Cup began. Ever. 31 wins. This is a team that has three World Cup titles to its name, a team that has just won the last competition it took part in, the Four Nations [Rugby Championship].
"They're on a 10-game winning streak [before losing to South Africa at Twickenham]. We're so happy to be playing them that Friday's match is a celebration, a joy, a great joy for us. It's wonderful."
Gathie said the Cup opener was the side's 40th game since he started as coach and preparing for the tournament on home soil.
"When we started, we laid down some fairly simple rules based on a vision: to bring French rugby together, to unite and share with the fans. Little by little, we've felt the support building; the public has identified with the team and what it means. It's been like this for four years - in good times and bad.
"Our role is simply to play. We're happy to play. We enjoy the moment and being with each other very much. That's what's at stake for us. We don't carry any weight, we don't have any baggage to weigh us down. We're very happy to be playing, and especially to be starting against New Zealand on Friday."
Captain and halfback Antoine Dupont was excited to face the All Blacks in such a showpiece game.
"They're the most beautiful team to watch, a team that generations and generations have dreamed of. As long as the World Cup has existed, this team has created the most significant impression with extraordinary players and teams.
"As a child, like all rugby fans, I admired the team and its players. To face them in the opening match of a competition in France, everything is in place for it to be a great event. It's up to us to put all the ingredients in place to ensure a positive outcome. It's a great line-up."
Dupont said the pressure would be on for the entire game, not just the first 15 minutes.
"Like all great teams, they have very few weak points. They're a team with a wealth of collective experience, capable of turning things around. We're preparing for the start of the match, because it's the start of the World Cup, and the pressure will be on. The tricky thing will be to maintain our intensity throughout the match."
He felt responsible for having his side perform, especially as France has never won the World Cup despite having played three finals.
"We all are responsible for doing something great at this World Cup. I'm captain, so I'm 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.
"There's pressure because we're expected to do well, and we've built up people's hopes over the last four seasons with the results we've had. The pressure isn't as high as the motivation and standards we set ourselves - or our ambition."