Mane man Rougerie eyes biggest scalp of all

In the 10 years since Aurélien Rougerie debuted for France in a 20-10 win over South Africa, he has grown from a fresh-faced flyer on the wing to one of the side's senior statesmen in midfield.

It is an important role in a team that has blooded several young players on the road to Les Bleus' third Rugby World Cup final.

On Sunday Rougerie, 31, will line up in the centre alongside 25-year-old Maxime Mermoz, his 22-year-old Clermont Auvergne teammate Morgan Parra will pull the strings at fly half, while 24-year-old Alexis Palisson will start on the left wing.

"The young players have found their place in the team and they have brought us their enthusiasm and their freshness," the flowing-maned Rougerie said.

"The chemistry with the older players has resulted in the performances that we have enjoyed here in New Zealand."

When Rougerie broke into the Clermont team shortly into the new millennium, the 1.94m, 104kg wing made such an impact he was nicknamed 'the blond Lomu'.

He is now one of the wise old heads of the French team, along with wing Vincent Clerc, scrum half Dimitri Yachvili, second row Lionel Nallet and hooker William Servat, and in the absence of Thierry Dusautoir he captained the team to a 46-19 win over Canada.

Sporting genes

The only thing missing from him so far in New Zealand is a try, but with Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu likely to be the pair lining up opposite him in the final, he knows he must be at his best to add to his 22 international tries.

"They have great speed and agility and it is something we will have to keep an eye on," he said. "I think it will take everything in my power if we are going to rattle them in any way."

Rougerie has strong sporting genes and a deep link to the club that he now captains. His father Jacques was a prop for the side, while his mother Christine Dulac was a star for the French basketball team.

His time in senior rugby has been laden with trophies. He has won three Six Nations grand slams and the 2007 European Challenge Cup.

His greatest moment so far, though, was leading Clermont as they ended their unenviable run of 10 French championship finals without victory by beating Perpignan in the 2010 decider.

However, he is well aware that he and his teammates must improve significantly from their semi-final showing against Wales if he wants to cap those achievements with a RWC winner's medal.

"Up to now we have not been able to do that (play a full 80 minutes) and will we be able to do it on Sunday, that is the question," Rougerie said.

"I do not know if we need any more motivation. The match itself will be motivation."