French brand Croydon 'dull, sad and monotonous'

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: A person walks in the street near where rioting occurred during August 2011 in Croydon on July 11, 2012 in London, England. August will see the 1st anniversary of the riot

In a move which suggests that World Cup organisers have a sense of humour, France, so often the All Blacks' nemesis at the tournament, have been assigned a hotel in Croydon, the modest borough in south London, and some among the travelling French press pack aren't happy.

A report in French newspaper Metro News described Croydon as "dull and monotonous", adding it was a "sad suburb".

The streets of Croydon - not to French tastes. Photo / Getty Images

The players are staying at the Selsdon Park Hotel & Golf and will train in the nearby suburb of Shirley.

Croydon - which is birthplace of model Kate Moss - has been voted one of the worst places to live in the UK due to various factors including investment and safety.

At least one French player isn't happy either. Tighthead prop Uini Atonio revealed how a rowdy set of wedding guests spoiled his first night's sleep.

World Cup history is full of tall tales of demented fans attempting to ruin rivals' preparations by spoiling sleep patterns, and Atonio's wedding blues only add to that tradition.

Kate Moss is from Croydon. She doesn't live there anymore though. Photo / Getty Images

"I did not really sleep well,' said Atonio of Saturday night. "There was a wedding in the reception area just under my room, and they were quite noisy.

"At around two in the morning, when I still could not sleep, I had to put my headphones on. We might have to change hotel!"