Two of the planet’s finest sides collide in a mouthwatering match-up to start Pool A, with each groups hoping to supply an enormous early assertion of their title credentials in pursuit of the well-known Web Ellis Cup.
France have by no means beforehand gained the World Cup however have been among the many globe’s fiercest sides up to now couple of years, during which time they ended their wait of over a decade to win the Six Nations with a Grand Slam in 2022.
Standing in Fabien Galthie’s aspect’s means first are a Rugby Championship-winning All Blacks staff that completed third 4 years in the past as they tried to assert three World Cups in a row, bested by dominant England within the semi-finals in Japan.
Although they had been dismantled by South Africa of their closing warm-up sport at Twickenham, New Zealand are anticipated to as soon as once more be proper up there with the event’s frontrunners.
France vs New Zealand takes place tonight on Friday September 8, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 8:15pm BST.
The Stade de France in Paris will host the primary match of the event after the opening ceremony, which begins at 7pm.
TV channel: In the UK, the sport will probably be proven reside on free-to-air channel ITV1, with protection beginning at 6:45pm.
Live stream: Fans may also be capable of watch a free reside stream on-line by way of the ITVX web site and app.
Live weblog: Follow all of the motion with Standard Sport’s devoted reside match weblog, with rugby correspondent Nick Purewal on the floor to supply professional evaluation.
Controversy arose in France’s camp after influential lock Paul Willemse’s thigh harm prompted Montpellier team-mate Bastien Chalureau to be known as up, despite his conviction in 2020 for a racially-motivated assault.
Fly-half Romain Ntamack was additionally dominated out of the World Cup after rupturing his cruciate ligaments within the warm-up match in opposition to Scotland. Loosehead prop Cyril Baille (calf) and energy centre Jonathan Danty (hamstring) will each miss the opener.
Galthie begins Yoram Moefana in midfield alongside Gael Fickou with Danty out, with Matthieu Jalibert at 10. In the pack, Cameron Woki and Reda Wardi exchange Willemse - who will miss the event altogether - and Baille. Chalureau is just not within the squad, in the meantime.
Scrum-half supremo Antoine Dupont leads Les Bleus’ assault because the captain and face of this World Cup.
The All Blacks have known as up lock Brodie Retallick regardless of his absence for this sport with a knee harm whereas Braydon Ennor (knee) is unavailable together with wing Emoni Narawa, who will miss the entire event.
There are 4 adjustments in whole to the beginning XV from the 35-7 demolition by the Springboks, with head coach Ian Foster bringing in centre Anton Lienert-Brown, prop Nepo Laulala, hooker Codie Taylor and one-cap flanker Dalton Papalii.
Scott Barrett begins regardless of his sending off in opposition to South Africa, however brother Jordie is injured. Tyrel Lomax and Dane Coles miss out, with Luke Jacobson dropping to the bench.
France XV: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villiere; Jalibert, Dupont (c); Wardi, Marchand, Atonio; Woki, Flament; Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt
Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Boudehent, Lucu, Vincent, Jaminet
New Zealand: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Telea; Mo’unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Laulala; Whitelock, S Barrett; Papalii, Cane (c), Savea
Replacements: Taukei'aho, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Vaa’i, Jacobson, Christie, Havili, Fainga'anuku
Les Bleus have notoriously been rugby’s final mercurial aspect over the many years; sensible and dazzling one minute, befuddlingly garbage the subsequent.
However, with the total Parisian backing behind them, they've the guile and expertise mandatory to begin the World Cup with an infinite win to state their title intentions.
France to win, by seven factors.
France snapped a 14-game shedding streak with victory of their final assembly, an end-of-year Test in 2021.
France wins: 13
New Zealand wins: 48
Draws: 1
France to win: 5/6
New Zealand to win: Evens
Draw: 16/1
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to alter).
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