Award-winning French actor Jean Dujardin's involvement in the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony on Friday might prove a lucky omen for his nation when it takes on New Zealand.
Dujardin will be joined by 33 high-profile guests representing French gastronomy, sports and the arts. Names have been kept quiet but three-star Michelin chef Guy Savoy – a friend of France coach Fabien Galthié – and former world pastry chef of the year Pierre Hermé are expected to be among them.
"Under Dujardin's directorial vision, the opening ceremony will not only be a mesmerizing spectacle that showcases the best of France's rich heritage and its deep-rooted love for rugby," World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said. "It will also represent a remarkable testament to the collaborative efforts and unwavering enthusiasm of everyone working behind the scenes.”
Around 200 volunteers will take part, including amateur players from regional rugby leagues and local inhabitants from the area around the stadium in a northern suburb of Paris.
The ceremony, which begins at 8 pm local time, will also commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of rugby union, and is expected to feature a French Air Force display. When the players emerge, they will have a short window of only 23 minutes to warm up for the 9:15 pm kickoff.
So why could Dujardin, whose role in the silent movie The Artist won him international fame, be France's lucky charm? Because the rugby-loving actor attended a training session when France last played New Zealand in November 2021. The French won 40-25 for their first victory in Paris against the All Blacks since 1973 and anywhere at home since 2000.