osts France might be overwhelming favourites to make it two wins out of two on the Rugby World Cup after they battle Uruguay in Pool A on Thursday night time.
Les Bleus made an incredible begin on opening night as they seek for a primary Webb Ellis Cup triumph at their residence event this autumn, coming out on top against the mighty All Blacks at a rocking Stade de France.
Tries from Damian Penaud and Melvyn Jaminet plus the trusty boot of Thomas Ramos meant Fabien Galthie’s aspect gained 27-13 in a pulsating conflict in Paris, cancelling out a pair of scores from New Zealand wing Mark Telea.
It was a major assertion of title intent from France as they plot a transparent course by way of to the quarter-finals on the stacked half of a lopsided draw after an iffy build-up dominated by accidents and the controversial call-up of Bastien Chalureau, however one which got here at a price with one other starter misplaced.
They will now be anticipated to emphatically put to the sword a Uruguay crew that might be enjoying their first recreation of the 2023 event, having sat out the opening weekend.
This is a fifth World Cup general and third in a row for Los Teros, who've by no means superior past the pool stage however gained three video games up to now - in opposition to Fiji in 2019, Georgia in 2003 and Spain in 1999.
Esteban Meneses’ aspect sealed their place in France by overturning a three-point first-leg deficit in opposition to the USA in October 2021 to qualify as Americas 1.
France vs Uruguay will happen on Thursday September 14, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST. That is 9pm native time.
The Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille will host the match.
TV channel: In the UK, Thursday’s recreation might be broadcast stay and free to air on ITV4, with protection beginning at 7:15pm.
Live stream: Fans may also catch the motion stay on-line through the ITVX web site and app.
Live weblog: Follow the sport because it occurs with Standard Sport’s devoted stay match weblog.
France have been already with out beginning fly-half Romain Ntamack, influential lock Paul Willemse and loosehead prop Cyril Baille in opposition to the All Blacks, plus highly effective centre Jonathan Danty, with that casualty listing solely rising additional after a vastly bodily affair in Paris. Ntamack and Willemse are out for the event, in the meantime.
Hooker Julien Marchand suffered a hamstring harm early within the opener, with Peato Mauvaka deputising admirably in his absence. It stays to be seen when he or Baille would possibly return, although each front-row forwards stay with Galthie’s squad as issues stand.
Mauvaka or Pierre Bourgarit will get the No2 shirt in opposition to Uruguay, whereas backs coach Laurent Labit stated on Saturday that each Danty and flanker Anthony Jelonch might function on Thursday.
Danty has been nursing a hamstring problem, whereas Jelonch ruputed his anterior cruciate ligament in France’s Six Nations win in opposition to Scotland in February and had been anticipated to make his return in opposition to Namibia in Marseille subsequent week.
Thankfully for Uruguay, star scrum-half Santiago Arata - who performs his membership rugby in France with Castres - is match after present process surgical procedure on a damaged finger in July.
Both nations ought to identify their respective matchday squads on Tuesday. Check again in then for the lineups in full.
New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe would be the man within the center on Thursday, supported by assistants Paul Williams and James Doleman plus TMO Ben Whitehouse.
Tough and decided Uruguay aren't any pushovers or strangers to this stage and they are going to be hopeful of including to their trio of World Cup wins this yr.
They are behind Argentina because the second-best aspect within the Americas, however will certainly be brushed apart with ease by each France and a wounded All Blacks crew in Pool A. Both video games will purely be an train in injury limitation from the outset.
Meneses might be pragmatic and know full nicely that the assembly with Namibia in Lyon on September 27 represents by far their greatest likelihood of victory in an in any other case very difficult group, having overwhelmed the Welwitschias 26-18 in a World Cup warm-up conflict in Montevideo solely final month.
Uruguay additionally noticed off an Argentina XV and narrowly edged out World Cup debutants Chile, having been bested by Georgia final autumn. In the summer time, they misplaced twice to Japan and break up a pair of matches in opposition to Romania, having stubbornly solely misplaced 17-10 to Italy in Parma the earlier yr.
This might be an inevitable shellacking to spice up French confidence and perception even additional, however Uruguay gained’t lose coronary heart.
France to win, by 30 factors.
This is the primary time that these two nations have ever squared off in a aggressive recreation of rugby union.
France to win: 1/100
Uruguay to win: 50/1
Draw: 50/1
Odds through Betfair (topic to vary).
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