Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s coverage of tonight’s Rugby World Cup Pool A clash between hosts France and underdogs Uruguay at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.
France come in to the fixture at the top of the pool having beaten New Zealand in an historic opening night clash in front of a sold out Stade de France.
Fabien Galthié‘s side will look to put on a show for the home crowd tonight but will keep one eye on Italy as the only remaining team that could pose a threat to their first pool stage clean sweep in 20 years.
With that in mind, Galthié has made 12 changes to the starting XV that defeated the All Blacks, with only second row Cameron Woki, wing Gabin Villiere and outside centre Yoram Moefana retained.
No 8 Anthony Jelonch captains the side in his first match in nearly seven months after rupturing his ACL during the Six Nations. Meanwhile, winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey becomes France’s youngest World Cup player at 20 years and 87 days, eclipsing Romain Ntamack’s record.
Uruguay get their tournament under way from the unexpected starting point of leading New Zealand in Pool A on points difference. How long that will last is another matter…
Four years ago, Los Teros shocked the world by beating Fiji 30-27 in one of the tournament’s big upsets. Tonight, 11 survivors from the 2019 campaign line up in the starting XV as Uruguay go in search of their fourth World Cup victory.
Five of the matchday 23 play their club rugby in France, including Castres scrumhalf Santiago Arata, who has recovered from a broken hand in May to start his first test since November 2021.
Los Teros’ main goal in the pool is to beat Italy and Namibia to seal direct qualification for the next World Cup, but winger Ignacio Facciolo said they will also take the fight to France and New Zealand.
“We do not rule out the France and New Zealand games,” Facciolo said. “We are going to play them as equals and we are going to go out and win. Uruguay will never give up a game as a lost cause.”
France hooker Pierre Bourgarit also emphasises that Les Bleues will be taking the fixture seriously. “I want to give it my all. We know full well that Uruguay are a strong team who will rely on the fundamentals of the game,” he said.
“They also have some very good players at the back. They have enough collective experience. That’s why we’re not taking this match lightly. We want to play a full, serious match.”
