No team attracts cliches as much as France. Gallic flair and an expansive approach is supposedly offset by a suspect temperament and mental fragility. When they do perform to type it is exhilarating and fun to watch, but some pragmatism and efficiency has started to endanger the stereotype.

In-fighting and ill-discipline dogged their 2011 World Cup campaign, but it was kept alive by bloody-mindedness and determination. The wins over England and Wales were not French classics, but the result was achieved and they very nearly stole the final from the All Blacks.

Les Bleus have been molded in the image of their tough as teak captain Thierry Dusautoir. There are few better tacklers in the game and no one sets a better example than the no-nonsense flanker. He might like the rough stuff, but Dusautoir is disciplined and calm, which has helped keep the team's penalty count down. The captain should be fit and fresh for the campaign after injury. 

Coach Phillipe Saint-Andre also deserves credit, having returned harmony to the group after the toxic end to Marc Lievremont's stewardship. A disappointingly symmetrical 2012 Six Nations campaign - two wins, two losses and a draw - was followed by a defeat by Argentina, but four subsequent wins, including a 33-6 humbling of Australia, has raised confidence.

Saint-Andre has organised his forwards well and in Vincent Clerc has one of the best finishers in the world. Clerc, like his coach, has scored 32 tries for France and could soon break Serge Blanco's national record of 38. Elsewhere in Les Bleus' squad, there is impressive fresh blood and experienced old hands, a blend which should add up to serious title  challengers.

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