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The primary week of the Rugby World Cup delivered loads of talent, drama and speaking factors.
After three relaxation days which have allowed everybody to catch their breath, the event resumes on Thursday when France tackle Uruguay within the first of eight matches throughout 4 days.
New Zealand are hoping to get well from their opening loss to the hosts, whereas England, Eire and Wales will bid to maneuver a step nearer to the quarter-finals after successful their first pool video games.
Thursday
Fixture: France v Uruguay (Pool A, Lille, 20:00 BST, BBC Radio 5 Sports activities Additional & BBC Sport web site and app)
Background: France might be heavy favourites after they face Uruguay of their subsequent recreation in Pool A, regardless of making 12 modifications to the aspect that beat New Zealand.
The hosts started their marketing campaign with a formidable 27-13 win over the All Blacks on the opening night time in Paris.
Uruguay didn’t play within the first spherical of fixtures and are but to get underway in France. The South American aspect are ranked seventeenth on the earth and might be showing at their fifth World Cup.
They’ve gained solely three of their earlier 15 matches at Rugby World Cups and are but to make it previous the pool section.
What to look out for: Younger France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is the participant to observe.
The fleet-footed 20-year-old marked his Take a look at debut with a strive within the current warm-up win over Scotland and, born in June 2003, he’s set to change into the youngest participant to characterize France on the World Cup.
Friday
Fixture: New Zealand v Namibia (Pool A, Toulouse, 20:00 BST, BBC Radio 5 Sports activities Additional & BBC Sport web site and app)
Background: Perennial World Cup heavyweights New Zealand might be searching for their first win of the event in opposition to Namibia.
The All Blacks will attain 50 wins in World Cups in the event that they beat Namibia, who’ve misplaced all 23 World Cup video games since their debut in 1999.
Defeat by France was New Zealand’s first in any World Cup pool-stage match. A second in opposition to Namibia, who started their marketing campaign with a 52-8 defeat by Italy, is unlikely.
The All Blacks beat Namibia 71-9 on the 2019 World Cup.
What to look out for: New Zealand lock Sam Whitelock will be a part of Richie McCaw because the All Blacks’ most-capped participant.
The 34-year-old will transfer degree with former captain McCaw on his 148th Take a look at look.
Saturday
Fixture: Samoa v Chile (Pool D, Bordeaux, 14:00 BST, BBC Radio 5 Sports activities Additional & BBC Sport web site and app)
Background: Samoa will make their first look of this World Cup, whereas event debutants Chile will wish to reply after dropping to Japan 42-12 of their opening recreation.
Samoa haven’t made the quarter-finals of the World Cup since 1995 and should not anticipated to succeed in the final eight in France.
They are going to be favourites to beat Chile however nonetheless have Pool D heavyweights Argentina and England but to play.
What to look out for: Samoa will carry out their pre-match Siva Tau dance for the primary time at France 2023.
Fixture: Wales v Portugal (Pool C, Good, 16:45 BST, BBC Radio Wales, Radio 5 Sports activities Additional & BBC Sport web site and app)
Background: Wales have made 13 modifications to the aspect that beat Fiji 32-26 of their first recreation in Pool C.
Co-captain and hooker Dewi Lake will lead the aspect after getting back from a knee damage which dominated him out of the opener with Fiji, whereas fly-half Gareth Anscombe will make his first Take a look at look since November 2022.
Wales might be favourites to make it consecutive wins at the beginning of their marketing campaign in opposition to a Portugal aspect who will make their first look at solely their second World Cup.
Portugal misplaced all 4 pool video games within the 2007 World Cup the final time it was staged in France, scoring 38 factors and conceding 209.
What to look out for: Count on Wales to point out loads of attacking intent.
Head coach Warren Gatland says the workforce he has picked to face Portugal have an opportunity to “put down their very own marker” within the event.
“This is a chance now for this matchday 23,” stated Gatland. “I’ve stated it earlier than, however there’s some nice competitors throughout the squad which is what we wish to see.”
Fixture: Eire v Tonga (Pool B, Nantes, 20:00 BST, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio 5 Sports activities Additional & BBC Sport web site and app)
Background: World primary aspect Eire cruised to a thumping 82-8 win over Romania to start their event.
Eire might be anticipated to increase their successful run to fifteen matches in opposition to the Pacific Islanders however Tonga, who’re but to play a pool recreation in France, will pose a better menace than Romania.
A change in rugby’s worldwide eligibility guidelines in 2021 means Tonga are in a position to name on a star-studded line-up as they pursue a primary World Cup quarter-final.
Tonga’s class of 2023 consists of former All Blacks George Moala, Vaea Fifita, Malakai Fekitoa, Charles Piutau and Augustine Pulu, whereas ex-Wallabies lock Adam Coleman can also be within the 33-man squad.
What to look out for: Tonga will carry out their conventional Sipi Tau earlier than the sport in Nantes.
Sunday
Fixture: South Africa v Romania (Pool B, Bordeaux, 14:00 BST, BBC Radio 5 Sports activities Additional & BBC Sport web site and app)
Background: Defending champions South Africa noticed off a spirited Scotland aspect with an 18-3 win of their opening recreation within the ‘Pool of Dying’.
The Springboks are among the many favourites to win the event and change into probably the most profitable nation in World Cup historical past with 4 titles.
Romania have appeared at each World Cup however should not anticipated so as to add to their six earlier event wins in opposition to the Boks.
Their most interesting second at this occasion stays the most important comeback in World Cup historical past as they overturned a 15-point deficit to beat Canada 17-15 in England eight years in the past.
What to look out for: The Manie Libbok no-look kick/go. The Springbok fly-half picked out wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who didn’t have to interrupt stride, for one of many tries of the opening spherical within the win over Scotland.
Fixture: Australia v Fiji (Pool C, Saint-Etienne, 16:45 BST, BBC Sport web site and app)
Background: Fiji got here so near beating Wales on Sunday, however an unmarked Semi Radradra knocked the ball on with the tryline at his mercy within the last minute.
The Pacific Islanders are favoured by many to succeed in the quarter-finals, however have to beat Australia to have any reasonable likelihood of reaching the knockout levels.
Australia picked up the primary win of head coach Eddie Jones’ second spell in cost with a 35-15 win over Georgia of their opening recreation.
Victory for the Wallabies will nearly actually seal a spot within the final eight.
What to look out for: Aussie wing Mark Nawaqanitawase is the person to observe. The teenager opened his try-scoring account within the win over Georgia and is about to threaten Fiji together with his balanced working and potent ending.
Fixture: England v Japan (Pool D, Good, 20:00 BST, BBC Radio 5 Dwell & BBC Sport web site and app)
Background: England lifted the gloom surrounding the workforce with an expert efficiency of their opening spherical 27-10 win over Argentina.
George Ford kicked all 27 factors because the 14 males of England got here from behind to beat the Pumas and put one foot within the quarter-finals.
Japan impressed on dwelling soil as they reached a primary quarter-final in 2019, 4 years after springing one of many greatest shocks in World Cup historical past as they beat South Africa in 2015.
The Courageous Blossoms beat debutants Chile of their opening recreation however England might be anticipated to assert victory in Good.
What to look out for: Billy Vunipola is anticipated to return to the aspect after serving a suspension for his pink card in opposition to Eire in the summertime warm-ups. The quantity eight might be eager to hold onerous and cement his place within the aspect.
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