Five days ahead of the World Rugby Classic and the French are full of confidence they can repeat their triumph of last year.

Retaining 60 percent of the side that beat the US 13-6 in the wet and wild 2003 final, including giant lock Olivier Roumat, coach Philippe Leveau believes Gallic flair will once again seal the deal.

“We are making the journey to win,” said Leveau, whose side arrive in Bermuda on Friday.

“Yes, we expect to win again. We have some very good players again and with our French flair I think we can do it.

“We like this festival because there is a lot of running with the ball and that is where we do very well. I expect us to be exciting to watch again.”

Les Bleus will be without the dynamic Laurent Le Flamand, who crossed the line regularly in last year's wet festival, but are more than happy with the inclusion of fullback Jean Luc Sadourny instead.

“Losing Le Flamand is a shame because he was a regular try-maker for us last time,” continued Leveau, whose side open the tournament at 2 p.m. on Sunday against the Canadians.

“But Jean Luc is one of the most capped players around, I think he has played 71 times for his country and he will have to take a lot of responsibility for the backs.

“He is a very good player and I think he will do okay for us.”

The New Zealand-inspired rule change that prohibits kicks from penalties will play right into the hands of the French, whose expansive style of rugby was occasionally counter-acted last year by a stifling, kicking game by various opposition.

But with that rather dull option removed, the only way to beat the French will be to outscore them.

“Yes, I think this will be good for us,” continued Leveau, whose side probably benefit most out of this year's competitors with the other rule difference, as their giant forwards can dominate the line-outs made so much more vital by uncontested scrums.

“Last year we almost did a New Zealand by hardly ever kicking so for us it will not make much difference. But, yes, it will help us too because other teams cannot kick, they have to beat us over the line.

“I think it is a good idea because it means teams have to score more tries and that will make the game even more exciting for the crowd.

“Hopefully the weather will be better this year so we can play properly and show our French flair.

“We are very good at line-outs and this helped us dominate possession last time by building up rucks and mauls and giving a lot of good ball to the backs.

“With nice weather it will be a good tournament and I think, yes, we can win it again.”

His team open up against the Canadians but, if that game goes to form, the stiff test will come against the winners of the New Zealand-South Africa clash, a game which he expects Francois Pienaar's men to win.

“Last year the South African team were unlucky,” he said. “I think they played some nice rugby but couldn't get the ball over the line. I don't know if they are going to be stronger this year, but I certainly expect them to play with more feeling and more intelligence.”

And Leveau is delighted that former England captain Martin Johnson's testimonial dinner is during the Classic week and hopes that the theme can be carried on in future years.

“It is good he is here but maybe they should try and do something with other players each year,” he added.

“Maybe an Australian next year and perhaps, why not, a Frenchmen the year after.”

If former French skipper Roumat has another stellar tournament, he would become a good bet to be honoured in the 2006 event.