France's rugby president Bernard Lapasset formally launched his country's bid to host the World Cup in 2007 yesterday.
In contrast to last week, when the unveiling of England's plans prompted Lapasset to describe the English RFU as "elitist" in trying to limit the number of competing sides, the French hierarchy settled for a more conciliatory tone as they laid out their own significantly less-radical vision of how the tournament might look.
Rather than reducing the main competition to 16 teams, as England propose, France remain committed to a 20-team World Cup with no parallel event for developing rugby nations.
In addition, it would stage the tournament in early autumn rather than the mid-summer slot the English prefer.
"Our bid is not directed against the English. England is a great rugby nation," insisted Lapasset, flanked by Daniel Dubroca, Serge Blanco, Philippe Saint-Andre and Raphael Ibanez, French captains in the previous four World Cups.
"We respect what they have done for this sport, but we simply have a different philosophy on what the 2007 World Cup should be. We are very much attached to our ideas and I am sure the fight between the English and the French will be an honest one."
With England embarking on an global diplomatic tour, however, the gloves are already off and Lapasset is on record as calling the RFU's proposals "pure demagogy", and at odds with the International Board's aim of opening up rugby to the world.
