It was the last chance saloon for Segolene Royal to knock Nicolas Sarkozy off his perch as odds-on favourite to win the French Presidency on Sunday.

The head to head television debate was watched by 20 million French people and turned into a Battle Royal between the candidates.

Sego went on the offensive, clearly hoping to get the volatile Sarko to lose his temper and confirm the fears of many French people about his temperament. Sarko was aware of this and behaved himself admirably, although the temptation to reach across the table and throttle Segolene must have been on his mind. It was an enthralling encounter and gripped a French nation that produced an 85 percent turnout in the first round.

Generally, it was counted a draw among the commentators, with neither candidate scoring a knockout blow, and 86 percent of voters claiming that they won’t change their minds before polling day.

Three opinion polls after the debate showed good leads for Sarkozy, who now seems well set to assume the leadership of France on Sunday.

A Royal Presidency now seems unlikely, so Royal Anecdotes can stop reporting politics in France.

Unless, of course, there’s a big upset on the day.

The French could easily end up with a Royal Presidency after the second round of voting on May 6.

Segolene Royal is the socialist candidate who could be France’s first woman President.

Odds are though, that Interior Minister, Nicolas Sarkozy — an immigrant to France — will win the final tussle.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the anti-immigration candidate who gifted Jacques Chirac a landslide last time round by beating the socialist Prime Minister into third place in the first round of voting, is the joker in the pack who could make waves again, especially after the inner city riots last year.

So, will France emerge with a Royal Presidency? Don’t hold your breath.