Hosts Les Bleus made an incredible begin on opening night time as they seek for a primary Webb Ellis Cup triumph at their residence match 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 received 27-13 in a pulsating conflict in Paris, cancelling out a pair of scores from New Zealand wing Mark Telea.
It was a big assertion of title intent from France as they plot a transparent course by 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 workforce that might be enjoying their first recreation of the 2023 match, having sat out the opening weekend.
This is a fifth World Cup total and third in a row for Los Teros, who've by no means superior past the pool stage however received three video games thus far - towards Fiji in 2019, Georgia in 2003 and Spain in 1999.
Esteban Meneses’ aspect - presently ranked seventeenth on this planet - sealed their place in France by overturning a three-point first-leg deficit towards the USA in October 2021 to qualify as Americas 1.
France vs Uruguay will happen tonight 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, tonight’s recreation might be broadcast dwell and free to air on ITV4, with protection beginning at 7:15pm.
Live stream: Fans may catch the motion dwell on-line by way of the ITVX web site and app.
Live weblog: Follow the sport because it occurs with Standard Sport’s devoted dwell match weblog.
France have been already with out beginning fly-half Romain Ntamack, influential lock Paul Willemse and loosehead prop Cyril Baille towards the All Blacks, plus highly effective centre Jonathan Danty, with that casualty checklist solely rising additional after a massively bodily affair in Paris. Ntamack and Willemse are out for the entire match.
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.
Pierre Bourgarit will get the No2 shirt towards Uruguay as France ring the modifications with 12 in complete, with flanker Anthony Jelonch captaining the aspect on his first look since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament within the Six Nations win towards Scotland again in February.
Only centre Yoram Moefana, wing Gabin Villiere and lock Cameron Woki retain their beginning berths from the victory over New Zealand, with nonetheless no Danty regardless of preliminary solutions that he was prone to return from harm this week.
Controversial call-up Chalureau is on the bench, however there’s a whole relaxation for the likes of inspirational captain Antoine Dupont and star back-rower Gregory Alldritt.
Thankfully for Uruguay, star scrum-half Santiago Arata - who performs his membership rugby in France with Castres - is match and begins after present process surgical procedure on a damaged finger in July.
France XV: Jaminet; Bielle-Biarrey, Vincent, Moefana, Villiere; Hastoy, Lucu; Gros, Bourgarit, Aldegheri; Woki, Taofifenua; Boudehent, Macalou, Jelonch (c)
Replacements: Mauvaka, Wardi, Falatea, Chalureau, Flament, Cros, Couilloud, Ramos
Uruguay XV: Amaya; Basso, Inciarte, Vilaseca (c), Freitas; Etcheverry, Arata; Diana, Civetta, Ardao, Leindekar, Aliaga, Peculo, Pujadas, Sanguinetti
Replacements: Gattas, Benitez, Piussi, Dotti, Bianchi, Deus, Ormaechea, Berchesi
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 12 months.
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 workforce in Pool A. Both video games will purely be an train in harm limitation from the outset.
Meneses might be pragmatic and know full properly that the assembly with Namibia in Lyon on September 27 represents by far their finest 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 cut up a pair of matches towards Romania, having stubbornly solely misplaced 17-10 to Italy in Parma the earlier 12 months.
This might be an inevitable shellacking to spice up French confidence and perception even additional, however Uruguay received’t lose coronary heart.
France to win, by not less than 35 factors.
This is the primary time that these two international locations have ever squared off in a full aggressive recreation of rugby union, with a French XV having overwhelmed Uruguay thrice previously.
France to win: 1/100
Uruguay to win: 200/1
Draw: 150/1
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