France's hangover from last year's Rugby World Cup included a chastening defeat to Ireland, a drab draw with Italy and a scandal-hit tour of South America.
It was far from the ideal way to banish the demons from the one-point quarterfinal defeat on home soil to eventual champions South Africa.
However, Saturday's 30-29 victory over New Zealand marked a watershed, a clear indication of France's ability to win tight games against the best with their mind now totally switched to the 2027 tournament in Australia.
"That World Cup, we no longer talk about it," France captain Antoine Dupont told reporters.
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