Known as the 'Four Musketeers', Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and Rene Lacoste won six singles and five doubles titles between them over the course of a decade.

BBC: The start of something special

They want France to seek an exemption from the authorities in Brussels, but Yves Cochet, the Greens' environment minister in Mr Jospin's coalition government, is offering the shooters no sympathy.

ECONOMIST: The battleground of France

However, First Gold ran just okay over hurdles in France the other day, and, anyway, I have a feeling that Jair du Cochet is a remarkable horse that will have the edge over all his rivals.

BBC: Jim Lewis, owner of Best Mate