KEY POINTS:
A frail 84-year-old with an encyclopaedic knowledge of French rugby hardly seems the chap best placed to turn around the fortunes of les Bleus. But devotees of the oval ball in the southwest of the country are staking their hopes on Father Michel Devert to provide their side
with divine help as France's champions gird for battle at the Zenith Stadium in Toulouse tomorrow evening.
Just four hours before the kickoff for France's vital second match of the Rugby World Cup, Father Devert will say Mass at the tiny church of Notre-Dame-du-Rugby and offer up prayers of behalf of les Bleus.
After a humiliating defeat to Argentina last week in front of a packed home crowd that included President Nicolas Sarkozy and a clutch of Cabinet ministers, the match against Namibia is a must-win if the host team are to have any hope of qualifying for the knockout rounds of their own tournament.
"It will be difficult, I'm not as young as I was and somebody has to drive me the 80km to the church, but I will say a Mass for the French XV," Father Devert said.
"Before that, though, I will spend the whole day in the church. You know, there is a lot to pray for."
There are few places more eccentric than Father Devert's tiny stone-walled church, located in the village of Larriviere in rich farmlands 80km southeast of Bordeaux.
One stained-glass window features Baby Jesus poised to throw a rugby ball to a lineout.
Another has the Virgin Mary with a scrum at her feet.
Father Devert's adoration of rugby and the Virgin Mary prompted him to establish the church in 1967 - and each time the national side have triumphed his band of followers have fervently believed that their priest has played a part in victory.
Father Devert retired as priest at Notre-Dame-du-Rugby three years ago - but his calling to rugby sees him frequently hustled back to the altar in the hope that he will bring God down on the side of les Bleus.
At the last Rugby World Cup, he was rushed to hospital after a fall and was unable to say Mass on the day of France's semifinal against the English. France lost 24-7.
After last week's horror at the Stade de France, the national mood is Janus-like, with one part of the population slumped in depression and the other showing a shining belief in resurgence.
"Five Reasons to Believe in Les Bleus - and Five Reasons to be Pessimistic," was how one newspaper headlined an article.
"I think they're going to pick up and take the lead in next matches," said Stephane Levrard of Brignoles. "[Coach] Bernard Laporte can revive them. They can go far in this tournament, provided they don't come across the All Blacks too soon."
Unfortunately, if France come second in their pool group they will be bang on course to meet the All Blacks in the quarter-finals. "The French have got to show the world that they are up to scratch after this defeat, but I don't see how they can do it," countered businessman Bruno Dahinden.
Defeat is not an option for Laporte, who must have experienced one of the most difficult weeks of his life. The quirky, quick-talking coach came under fire for tactics, selection, motivation and more after the Argentina encounter.
Then the sports daily l'Equipe asked why his personal website was selling France jerseys, bearing his autograph, for ¬146 while the regular version retails for ¬76.
Under pressure to explain where the money from this venture was going, Laporte blamed his business manager, Serge Benaim. "I told him I wanted part of the proceeds from the sale to go to my charitable foundation," the coach said.
Compared to the certainties of politics, though, divine will is impenetrable.
"Will we win the rugby? Or will we not? It's the secret of God," Father Devert said.
Questions On Everyone's Lips
Chris Rattue asks the burning questions of the World Cup
What were the top five matches of the first week?
1) Argentina v France. Great opening thanks to the drama of an upset result ... but the tournament went downhill in the following days.
2) TV3 v Sky. A lot closer than most of the games.
3) All Blacks v Italy. A nice settler although we have since discovered how bad Italy are.
4) An English journo v Paul Honiss. The Pommie scribes needed a decoy move after their team were embarrassed by the United States. Ref Honiss was the perfect soft target.
5) All Black boating races. It looked like yet more rest and row-tation. When does this tournament actually start?
Different referees are playing vastly different lengths of advantage - how can you explain the advantage rule?
You can't, except to say that it is consistently inconsistent.
What can Portugal do to keep the score down against the All Blacks tonight?
Face the haka. Don't chatter during it either. And no smirking.
Who was the star of the first week?
The fantastic crowds. These upbeat, musical audiences saved the World Cup's opening stanza although even they couldn't rescue the Italy v Romania match in Marseille.
If this is France's World Cup, how come there are games in Edinburgh and Cardiff this week?
You scratch my back ... as in Scotland and Wales backed France's bid to stage this World Cup.
Only One Team To Back Today
In the interests of balanced Rugby World Cup coverage, the Weekend Herald interviews New Zealanders with a connection to the All Blacks' opponents each weekend of the campaign. Today: Jose De Mello Machado.
How long have you been in New Zealand, and what do you do?
I've been here for five years. I work in human resources at the University of Auckland's Business School. Do you feel any conflict of interest or emotion when the All Blacks play Portugal?
It's quite clear who I back - Portugal. Viva os Lobos!
How will Portugal do in the RWC?
An influential Portuguese friend asked the International Rugby Board to make some minor changes to the rules - make the ball round and prohibit the use of hands. We would win the cup if they had listened. Now it is more difficult.
What is unique about the Portuguese style of rugby?
Portugal might be the "minnows", as the media has referred to them, but they have got guts and don't give up. A luta continua!
Are there too many foreigners in the Portuguese team?
There is one player with a foreign name but I think he might be Portuguese.
You are stranded on a desert island. Would you prefer, port or madeira?
Both are "port" but I would prefer a Porto from the Douro region (north of Portugal) to a Madeira (Madeira Island) which is drier.
