Invited by the French Rugby Federation (FFR), who were impressed by Societe Generale’s advert, I was able to rub shoulders with the French players as soon as the match was over. I travelled on the team bus, with a police escort, to rue de Rivoli in central Paris, where the post-patch reception banquet was held. The event was truly a highlight of my life that I was able to attend thanks to the FFR, and for that I thank them wholeheartedly.

Dinner jackets were the order of the day, as if to remind us that this sport is played by gentlemen. Over a chilled beer, Yannick Jauzion, whom I had already met a year ago when we were shooting the advert, explained to me that William Servat, his roommate at Marcoussis (the French rugby centre), teases him every time the advert is on TV. When he introduced me to the French hooker, William looked at Yannick with a teasing smile and laughter in his eyes!

The evening will remain embedded in my memory. All day, I rubbed shoulders with, said hello to and talked to the current French international players, as well as former players and captains who were my idols when I was a teenager.

A funny and somewhat disconcerting anecdote; an improbable conversation that took place on the morning of the game at Orly airport There I was, quietly sipping my coffee, when a large gentleman came up to me and said: “Hi, I think we know each other through the intermediary of television”. And there in front of me was Fabien Pelous, the former emblematic captain of the French rugby team… It’s astonishing what the advert filmed for Societe Generale can bring about! That I should recognise Fabien Pelous is of course totally normal. That he should recognise me is much less so! The power of television is amazing…

Anyway, back to the sport itself, because on Saturday there’s a Grand Slam up for grabs. During my time with the team, I was able to see the French players and staff totally focussed and united in preparation for the match against England on Sunday. You could already see the red rose shining in their eyes. I really hope we win the game. Even though we’ll have to watch out for the English, I feel that the new crop of French international players, who are particularly consistent, are very capable of doing what they need to make this a memorable year for French rugby.              

Allez les bleus, as they say. You have the potential, the talent and the extravagance to write another page of Six Nations history!