Perhaps he will be best remembered, say admirers, for his quest to reconcile France with its history.

NPR: Chirac Leaves Behind a Mixed Legacy

Thomas himself is looking forward to packing down on the blind-side on Friday night, as Wales seek to derail France's Grand Slam quest.

BBC: Back-row 'balance' excites Wales

They know they are accused in places like France of destabilising the single market and the single currency in their quest for competitiveness and low labour costs.

ECONOMIST: European politics