In the 1980s, as Les Bleus claimed two Grand Slams and another four championship titles (two of which were tied), you very much knew which France would turn up.
In the 1990s, despite England’s three Five Nations Grand Slams, you sort of did, too, as France claimed a trio of titles of their own, reached a World Cup final – admittedly in staggering semi-final circumstances against New Zealand – and also scored one of the most dashing tries that Twickenham has seen.
But, whether because of history, culture or anthropology, that cliché of not knowing which French side would turn up persisted.