At the end of this year, sixteen nations will contest the men’s World Cup. Most casual fans would know about Australia, New Zealand and England; but over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to some of the other teams.

France have contested every World Cup since the concept began in 1954. They actually hosted the first World Cup, and went down 16-12 to Great Britain in the final. It would be as close as they would get over the next 68 years.

The history of rugby league in France is one of struggle. The first game played in France was a friendly international between Australia and England in 1933. The following year, France formed their own national team, mostly comprised of disgruntled rugby union players. They toured England in 1934, and had more than 200 clubs before the outbreak of the Second World War.

After the war, France had to rebuild from scratch, but became the first French sporting team to win at Wembley in 1949, and in 1951 had a successful tour of Australia, led by champion goal kicking fullback Puig Aubert.

France stuggled at the World Cup in 1957 and 1960, but made the final in 1968. They hosted the tournament again in 1972, but haven’t looked like reaching a final since. France’s last significant victory was in the two tests against Australia at the end of the 1978 Kangaroo Tour.

Since the 1990s, France have mostly kept to playing Tier 2 nations in internationals, although they did participate in the Four Nations tournament in 2009.

France are grouped with England, Samoa and Greece for this year’s World Cup. With only the top two teams progressing, France will be focused on defeating Greece in their opening match, and hoping for an upset in one of the other games.