Sean Fitzpatrick: French on track for World Cup

One of the key rugby facts that has emerged recently is the $24 million deal that French rugby has agreed with their leading clubs to free players for next year's World Cup. The money is compensation to the clubs for losing players to Bernard Laporte's World Cup squad - giving the French seven weeks together before the tournament starts on September 7, 2007.

That will be highly beneficial for the French and shows how they have already overcome the club vs country argument. Contrast that with England, wherce the RFU remains at loggerheads with the clubs. The two parties are due to meet in court next week to settle just such an argument.

The English clubs are fighting the arrangement of the international against the All Blacks the week before Graham Henry's team play the first of two tests against France in November. The clubs have sought court action to support their contention that their players do not have to be released for this fixture, claiming it was organised outside the normal international window.

England coach Andy Robinson does not yet know how much access he will have to his top players, while Laporte is mirroring Henry's approach in that he is carefully planning 2006 and 2007 and the build-up to the Cup.

The French have also taken a huge amount out of their football World Cup campaign. Even though they lost the final and Zidane's head-butt was seen as a disgrace elsewhere, he's been feted as a hero in France and the national psyche has been given a real boost. Now their hopes are turning towards the rugby World Cup.

Like Henry, Laporte has been quietly building up two full squads of experienced players. That word 'experience' is key. Zidane's form in Germany - he was supposed to have been past it after coming out of retirement - has also fuelled the French belief that they need experience. Captain and lock Fabian Pelous, 32 and only the fifth player to earn 100 test caps, is hugely important to the French and now seems confirmed as Laporte's World Cup captain.

The All Blacks' two tests against them in November will be important for both - not just to gauge where they are but also to claim the psychological edge.

France vs New Zealand is the 2007 final everyone is picking. They have size, speed and are remorselessly physical - all of which makes them hard to play. Even this far out, they seem much better prepared than the Australians and maybe the South Africans.

The French contest the breakdown well - important against the All Blacks - and are hard-headed athletes. They have several players who can be game-breakers and others who will be important in terms of experience and guidance.

I am already looking forward to those two tests in November - they could be a forerunner, in every way, of what is to come in 2007.