A new chapter in European rugby history began with the admittance of Italy to rugby's top table in 2000 to form the Six Nations. England won the opening two tournaments but suffered Grand Slam anguish at the hands of Scotland in 2000 and Ireland in 2001.

In 2002, Bernard Laporte's France began their march with a 33-12 win over Italy and a narrow 37-33 win over Wales in Cardiff. The pivotal game arrived in round three, where reigning champions England were defeated 20-15 at the Stade de France thanks to tries from Gerald Merceron and Imanol Harinordoquy.

A workmanlike 22-10 win over Scotland kept the dream alive and come April 6, there was a feeling that history was in the making. Ireland were the visitors, having won the last two meetings between the sides, but proved no match for the pace and power of the hosts. The 80,000 fans inside the Stade de France saw their side begin a decade in which they would become the most successful Six Nations side, also winning the tournament outright in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Fabien Galthie (Centre, with trophy)

Described by coach Bernard Laporte as the best scrum-half in French history, Galthie led his side with distinction as he neared the end of a Test career that began way back in 1991. He played at four World Cups, including in France's legendary 43-31 victory over the All Blacks in the 1999 semi-final. Later in 2002 he won the prestigious IRB World Player of the Year award, succeeding Keith Wood, and captained his team at the 2003 World Cup. At club level he represented Colomiers and Stade Francais, whom he would later coach.

Raphael Ibanez (Centre)

Ibanez made his debut for France in 1996 and went on to rack up 98 Test caps, despite initially announcing his retirement following the 2003 World Cup. A combative, brilliant hooker, his guts or glory attitude helped to typify France's success in the early years of the Six Nations. A club servant of Dax, Castres and Perpignan, he later moved to England with Saracens before leading Wasps to glory in the 2007 Heineken Cup final at Twickenham. He announced his immediate retirement from all rugby in 2009 following a concussion and has forged a successful media career.

Serge Betsen (Left, centre)

Betsen's gritty, powerful presence became a defining characteristic of France's brilliant back-row at the turn of the millennium. Having made his debut in 1997 it was post-2000 that he began to show his capabilities on the world stage. He dominated Jonny Wilkinson in France's 2002 victory over England and was an inspirational presence during their so near yet so far campaigns at the 2003 and 2007 World Cups. He played 12 season of rugby with Biarritz, retiring following the 2007 World Cup before being convinced to come out of retirement and join Wasps.

Damien Traille (Front, centre)

Traille was a young, powerful centre at the time of the French slam, having made his Test debut only months earlier against the Springboks. He played all five Tests of their triumph and would go on to become a respected and important member of the squad. He has played at two Rugby World Cups, including a disastrous spell at fullback as France lost to England in the 2007 semi-final, as well as tasting more Grand Slam success in 2004. A long-time servant of Biarritz, he was on hand to help the Basque side to the Top 14 title in 2006, the same season that they were defeated by Munster in the Heineken Cup final.

Pierre Mignoni (Front, centre)

A nomadic scrum-half, Mignoni was a year away from finding his long-time club Clermont Auvergne at the time of France's Grand Slam. Having bounced between his hometown club of Toulon, Beziers and Dax, he found it equally problematic to hold down a regular spot in the France squad. He played a supporting role to Galthie in 2002 but would disappear from the international landscape until a recall in 2005. His final Test appearance came at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and he returned to his hometown club Toulon for the 2009-10 season.

Olivier Brouzet (Front, right)

Brouzet played over 70 Tests for France in the second-row and was well travelled at club level. Following a Test debut in 1994 he played at the first of his three World Cups in 1995, his international career coming to a close following a replacement appearance against Ireland in Melbourne in 2003. He dislocated his shoulder and was ruled out of the tournament, but had earlier lost his place to the emerging Jerome Thion. At domestic level, the giant Brouzet played for Grenoble, Bordeaux, Northampton, Clermont Auvergne and Stade Francais.

Fabien Pelous (Front, right)

Pelous finished his career as France's most-capped international, succeeding Philippe Sella, and is one of the most decorated players ever to take to the field in anger. He had started France's Rugby World Cup final defeat to Australia in 1999, while plying his trade with his hometown club, Toulouse, whom he had joined after two seasons with Dax. While at Toulouse he would win two Heineken Cups and two Top 14 titles, as well as the 2002 Grand Slam. Following the retirement of Galthie after the 2003 World Cup, Pelous took the France captaincy and immediately led his men to a Grand Slam. He retired from international rugby in 2007, following his third World Cup, but played n with his beloved Toulouse until 2009, when he was chaired from the field following a Top 14 semi-final defeat to Clermont.