Rugby World Cup 2023: Line-up, refereeing, TV broadcast… Everything you need to know about France-New Zealand

The French XV takes on New Zealand on Friday 8 September in their opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Here’s everything you need to know.

Where and when will the France-New Zealand match be held?

The opening match of the 2023 World Cup between France and the All Blacks will take place on Friday 8 September at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (93). Start at 9:15 p.m

Which group do the two teams fall into?

France and New Zealand are in Group A, along with Italy, Namibia and Uruguay.

Composition XV of France

Ramos – Benaud, Fico, Moivana, Villiers – (S) Jalibert, (M) Dupont (Cap) – Ollivon, Aldrete, Croos – Flament, Wuki – Atonio, Marchand, Pink Subs: Movaka, Gross, Aldigiri, Taofifenoa, Beaudehint. , Loco, Vincent, Jaminet

Refree

South African referee Jaco Pepper will officiate the France All Blacks match, assisted by Englishmen Carl Dixon, Christoph Ridley and Tom Foley. Regarded as one of the best referees in the world, Bieber is a familiar face for the Blues, who officiated the quarter-final loss to Wales in the 2019 World Cup, most notably when Sebastian Vahamahina was sent off for an elbow. He also refereed the France-England match in 2022, where the Tricolores validated their Grand Slam win.

History between the two teams in the World Cup

The French XV and New Zealand have faced each other 7 times in the World Cup. The record is 4 defeats to 3 wins. The last confrontation was a major defeat (62-13) in the 2015 World Cup.

On which TV channel?

The France-New Zealand match can be followed live on TF1.