By Lewis Browning for Mailonline
Published: | Updated:
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Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest news as hosts France kick off the Rugby World Cup against tournament favorites New Zealand.
On paper we have the two favorites for the tournament tonight. A possible dress rehearsal for the final.
In reality, there won’t be any major consequences for whoever loses tonight.
With Namibia, Italy and Uruguay the other three teams in Pool A, both teams featuring tonight will be feeling comfortable about their chances of reaching the next stage, whatever happens tonight.
But victory tonight will go a long way towards claiming first place and will be key to maintaining a mental edge for the rest of the tournament.
And there is history between the two parties. The victories in New Zealand in 1987 and 2011, the comebacks in France in 1999 and 2007… No two sides have met in World Cup competition since.
It is the battle of the juggernauts.
Good evening everyone and welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of the Rugby World Cup opener between France and New Zealand.
After what feels like months of talking, the competition has arrived and what a blast we have to get us started for the competition.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:15 a.m., with the opening ceremony starting at 7 a.m.