Michelle ThompsonThe 2023 Rugby World Cup starts off tonight in Paris with a mouth-watering match between hosts France and three-time champions New Zealand.
The All Blacks won the Rugby Championship in July to establish themselves as the tournament favorites, but a crushing loss to the defending world champions South Africa and injuries to key players have cast doubt on Ian Foster’s team’s ability to win the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time in four tries. Even though New Zealand has never lost in a World Cup group match, facing France at home is one of the toughest tasks.
The French may have lost to Six Nations grand slam champions Ireland in the spring, but they are confident going into the World Cup after a commanding warm-up victory over Australia, and they will have raucous home support this evening at the Stade de France. Additionally, they have the pleasure of having the great Antoine Dupont, the best scrum-half in the world, oversee proceedings.
