In France , Rennes sealed its place in the final of the French League Cup following a 2-0 win over league champion Montpellier.

CNN: More woe for Chelsea boss Benitez

"I like it, " said Patrick Vieira, the former French international whose side lost the 2006 World Cup final to Italy on penalty kicks.

WSJ: Euro 2012: An Apologia for the Penalty Kick Shootout

It was a major setback for Escude as he is chasing a place in the French squad for next month's Davis Cup final against Russia.

BBC: Kuerten edges out Safin

The Blues - born out of the venerable Cardiff club when Welsh rugby moved to the regional model - went into the game chasing silverware on two fronts following last weekend's Heineken Cup quarter-final win over French aristocrats Toulouse.

BBC: Cardiff Blues 50-12 Gloucester

Since reaching the final of the 2006 World Cup, the French have won just one of their 10 tournament matches and have exhibited an alarming tendency to unravel at the first sign of difficulty.

WSJ: Euro 2012: The Reign of Spain Continues

Last season their star-studded squad - that now contains 16 internationals from nine nations - made the semi-finals of the French league and lost to Cardiff Blues in a thrilling Amlin Challenge Cup final.

BBC: Raphael Ibanez warns Ospreys on Jonny Wilkinson

Ibanez was one of four players in the French squad who had been part of the 22 that beat New Zealand in the 1999 World Cup semi-final.

BBC: French commitment delights Ibanez