The French women's rugby teams are known by different names depending on the specific code of rugby they represent, namely Rugby League or Rugby Union. The France women's national rugby league team is known as the Chanticleers to Anglophone media and locally as Les Tricolores. The France women's national rugby union team is commonly referred to as Les Bleues.
French Women's National Rugby League Team
The France women's national rugby league team competes in the sport of rugby league. This team has distinct monikers depending on the audience:
- Chanticleers: This name is primarily used by Anglophone media. A chanticleer is a rooster, a long-standing national symbol of France.
- Les Tricolores: Locally, and within France, the team is often referred to as Les Tricolores, a direct reference to the three colors of the French national flag (blue, white, and red).
Rugby league is one of the two major codes of rugby football, characterized by a play-the-ball restart and a limited number of tackles before possession changes. The French team represents the nation in international competitions for this sport.
French Women's National Rugby Union Team
In contrast, the France women's national rugby union team is predominantly known by a different, widely recognized nickname:
- Les Bleues: This term, meaning "The Blues," is a popular and common nickname for many French national sports teams across various disciplines, including both men's and women's rugby union, football, and handball, due to the traditional blue color of their jerseys.
Rugby union is the other major code of rugby football. It differs from rugby league in several key aspects, including scrums, rucks, and lineouts, and generally features more continuous play without the "play-the-ball" rule.
Understanding the Different Codes of Rugby
It's important to distinguish between rugby league and rugby union, as they are separate sports with different rules, organizations, and often different national team identities.
| Team Name (Code) | Primary Nickname (Anglophone) | Local Nickname | Associated Rugby Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| France Women's National Rugby League Team | Chanticleers | Les Tricolores | Rugby League |
| France Women's National Rugby Union Team | Les Bleues | Les Bleues | Rugby Union |
The names reflect the unique history and characteristics of each sport within France's sporting landscape.
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