Sara Crompton Meade: Rugby in France, now with photos!

Rugby is a Really Big Deal in this part of France (down south). There are lots of rugby clubs and it is very competitive to get into them.We had a look at a club nearby for our 10 year old son. He played for two hours, twice, in the wind and rain, just to see if there was a space available for him on the team for the next season. For a boy who prefers books and more books, it was quite amazing. He's ended up continuing with tennis but we'll try again next year.

It's quite thrilling to be here while the Rugby World Cup (Cup de Monde) is being played in New Zealand. When the All Blacks win a game we receive phone calls, emails and texts from French friends congratulating us. "You really are the best," they say. I have to agree.

I am fiercely proud of France though, and we have learnt the French national anthem (Marseillaise) for the pleasure of singing the national anthems of both countries at the start of the games. We all hum it a lot, in fact a lot of children sing it at school so the tune goes around our heads and house quite a lot. Our 8 year old daughter is a keen whistler - well, in a repetitive but definitely melodic sort of way - and she has it down pat. I'm hedging my bets and supporting both countries to win the World Cup. (As long as that land mass next to New Zealand doesn't win, I'm happy ... I can't help it.)

Actually quite a lot of people here are very fond of the All Blacks too. Often in shops or out and about people will ask us, "Are you from England?", and when we correct them and say, "No, we are from New Zealand," they break into this All Blacks haka routine and treat us like their best friends. It's a great door-opener. We made sure our 6 year old son wore his All Blacks cap a lot when we first came to France.

Allez les bleus!

Go the All Blacks!