France were tonight awarded the 2007 Rugby World Cup after defeating England in a two-way bidding race.
International Rugby Board chiefs made the announcement in Dublin, giving their backing to the French bid after a vote by the IRB Council.
The margin of victory was reported to be 18 votes to three in favour of France, which represented a shock landslide defeat for England.
With 21 votes on offer - two each from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England and France, plus one from Canada, Japan, Argentina, Italy and the FIRA organisation - the outcome was expected to be very close.
The French Rugby Federation's four-man delegation - president Bernard Lapasset, national coach Bernard Laporte, national team manager Jo Maso and former French skipper Jean-Pierre Rives - were in Dublin to hear the result.
Despite months of detailed planning and preparation, England's bid fell at the final hurdle.
France though, can now look forward to four years' time, when they will stage a World Cup final for the first time.