The 2023 Rugby World Cup gets off to a bright start as hosts France host New Zealand on Friday night in Paris.. A clash between two title contenders that is also important for Italrugby, with the Azzurri drawn into Group A with Transalpine and the All Blacks.
And for their debut, Galtier and Foster chose two top-level teams., even if both have to give up some important points. France will be without Romain Ntamack for the entire World Cup, injured in the summer’s test matches, while the All Blacks will be without Jordie Barrett for the first match, who was also sidelined with a leg problem.
Kick-off is scheduled for 21:15 at the Stade de France in Paris and can be followed live on television on RaiSport HD and Sky Sport Uno, as well as streaming on Now TV.. Sky Sport will be keeping an eye on the tournament, with Sky correspondents in France reporting on the Azzurri’s approach to the challenge live on Sky Sport 24, while Francesco Pierantozzi, Moreno Molla, Paolo Malpezzi and Nicola Rogero will take turns commentating, assisted by technical commentary from Diego Dominguez. Andrea De Rossi, Alessandro Mocardi, Pippo Frati, Federico Fusetti and former referee Maurizio Vancini.
FRANCE – NEW ZEALAND
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Ficou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Gabin Villiers, 10 Mathieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Aldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Thibaut Flament, 4 Cameron Vokey, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Reda Vardy
On the bench: 16 Peato Mauwaka, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldeguerie, 19 Romain Taofenua, 20 Paul Boudeen, 21 Maxime Lucoux, 22 Arthur Vincent, 23 Melvin Jaminet
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Dalton Papalii, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Cody Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
On the bench: 16 Samisoni Taukeiaho, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaai, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Finley Christie, 22 David Havili, 23 Lester Fainganuku
Photo: Mathieu Mirville/DPPI – LPS