France v New Zealand: Rugby World Cup 2023 – live

Key events

Water breaks will be implemented across all Rugby World Cup games this weekend amid soaring temperatures in France. Paris – the setting for the hosts’ meeting with New Zealand on Friday night – is in the grip of a heatwave with daily temperatures of 35C expected to last until Monday.

Two matches are being staged in Marseille, including England’s opener against Argentina, where it has reached 30 degrees.

“Water breaks will operate midway through both halves at a natural break in play. The process will be managed by the referee,” a World Rugby statement read. “The process has operated at previous World Cups and across rugby more broadly when temperatures are hot or humid and is catered for in the tournament’s regulations.”

Wales train in the Bordeaux heat.
Wales train in the Bordeaux heat. Photograph: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans/Shutterstock

France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villière; Jalibert, Dupont (capt.); Wardi, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt. Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Boudehent, Lucu, Vincent, Jaminet.

New Zealand: Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Telea; Mo’unga, Smith; de Groot, Taylor, Laulala, Whitelock, Barrett, Papali’i, Cane (capt.), Savea. Replacements: Taukei’aho, Tuungafasi, Newell, Vaa’i, Jacobson, Christie, Havili, Fainga’anuku.

It’s showtime.

Six years after France won the right to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and four years since South Africa prevailed in Yokohama, the action finally begins at Stade de France in Paris today.

This is perhaps France’s best opportunity to win the trophy, given the remarkable strength of the hosts’ playing squad, and their talented coaching team led by Fabien Galthié. South Africa and Ireland are strong contenders too, but the first concern for France is this keenly anticipated opening night against the mighty All Blacks. Injuries to key French players such as the fly-half Romain Ntamack and the prop Cyril Baille were poorly timed, but there is serious depth to their resources.

New Zealand have never before been beaten in a pool match, although their defeats by Les Bleus in 1999 and 2007 are both the stuff of rugby legend. New Zealand prevailed over France as hosts in the finals of 1987 and 2011, and have won five of eight of the Rugby World Cup meetings between the teams. A crushing, record defeat by the Springboks at Twickenham last month will have stung – but perhaps came at the perfect time to focus their minds for another shot at the trophy.

Here we go then – seven weeks of competition to find the winner of the Webb Ellis Trophy. Defeat for either side will not be terminal to their hopes of progress – so let’s hope for a fittingly fluent opening to one of the greatest shows on earth.

Kick-off: 8.15pm UK time