Home advantage for France

France lifted by three home group matches

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 10th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Home advantage for France

France: Home advantage

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France will be boosted by home advantage in the European Cup this season as they bid to land a spot in the 2011 Four Nations series.

The condensed competition will see the French go up against Ireland, Scotland and holders Wales, with the winners set to compete against England, Australia and New Zealand in the Four Nations in the United Kingdom next year.

France featured in the 2009 expanded Tri-Nations, but make way for Papua New Guinea this year after they won the Pacific Cup to qualify.

Favourites

Venues are yet to be finalised for the European Cup, but France will play at home in all three group matches, starting with clash against Ireland on October 9, making them clear favourites.

Scottish Bravehearts will host Wales in the other match of the opening weekend in a repeat of the 2009 final, in which the Welsh triumphed 28-16 at Bridgend.

The final has been scrapped this season, with the team at the top of the table declared the champions.

"The stakes for matches involving these four nations has rarely been higher and I'm sure the chance to take on Australia, England and New Zealand will bring out the best in all the players involved," said RFL director of development Gary Tasker.

Italy and Lebanon, who were both included in the 2009 rugbyleague.com European Cup, have been demoted to the European Shield.

2010 rugbyleague.com European Cup schedule:

October 9: France v Ireland; Scotland v Wales
October 16: France v Scotland; Wales v Ireland
October 23: France v Wales; Ireland v Scotland