2008 will be an important year for rugby in which it will be vital to capitalise on the 2007 World Cup. Dates for the diary.

6 Nations Tournament (From 2 February to 15 March).
The first Tournament after Laporte marks a new start for the French fifteen. The Lièvremont, Ntamack and Retière trio has to build a team for the 2011 World Cup and will try and keep the trophy that the French team won two years ago. First meet in Scotland

3 February Scotland-France (16.00)
9 February France-Ireland (16.00)
23 February France-England (21.00)
9 March France-Italy (16.00)
15 March Wales-France (18.00).

Summer tour.
The French team will play two test matches in Australia. As in 2007, the French team will be without the semi-finalist players of the French Championship.

28 June Australia-France
5 July Australia-France.

Autumn tour
All France will be waiting with impatience for the 8 November, for what promises to be a needle match. The French will meet the Argentina and try and regain the initiative after the double disappointment of the World Cup.

8 November France-Argentina
15 November France-Pacific Islanders
22 November France-Australia.

European Cup
The final stages of the European Cup start, as every year, in April. The French clubs will want to take revenge after a difficult year in 2007.

Quarter finals 4/5/6 April
Semi-finals 25/26/27 April
Final 23/24/25 May.

Top 14.
We will have to wait until the end of June to find out about the Top 14. The top four from the championship matches of the season will fight it out for the final stages. The precise dates and places of the semi-finals have yet to be decided.

Semi-finals 20/21/22 June
Final 28 June

Pro D2.
The Pro D2 champion will be revealed at the end of the season, the 8 June 2008. A final phase will take place for the clubs in 2nd to 5th places to find out who will be the second club to be promoted to the Top 14.

Semi-finals 14/15 June
Final 21 or 22 June.