Article: French feel chill on unfamiliar ground

RUGBY UNION The capital of the Franche-Comt is renowned for its clock- making, its citadel, and as the birthplace of Victor Hugo. But emphatically not for its rugby and it is evident that the French team would be happier playing Canada almost anywhere bar Bescanon.

Today's match at the city's Stade Lo Lagrange might have seemed like a good, missionary idea when it was arranged. But French players like the sun on their backs and, though there was plenty of that here yesterday, the temperature remained sub-zero all day. Besanon is hard by Switzerland, and is also renowned as one of the coldest places in France.

All of which means that the French captain, Philippe Saint-Andr, dare not hope for ...

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