Key events
While we wait for kick-off, why not have a bash at our new and improved quiz of the week? Fifteen questions, no Googling.
Antoine Dupont isn’t in the France 23 but he’s here in Lyon, suited up for a pre-pitch walkaround with Fabien Galthié, the pair of them looking like a critically acclaimed 90s electronic duo.
A huge weekend of rugby awaits – so get up to speed with our preview.
The teams
France: Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu; Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Cameron Woki, Thibaud Flament, Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon (c), Grégory Alldritt.
Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Reda Wardi, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, François Cros, Baptiste Couilloud, Yoram Moefana, Melvyn Jaminet
Italy Ange Capuozzo, Pierre Bruno, Juan Ignacio Brex, Paolo Garbisi, Montanna Ioane, Tommaso Allan, Stephen Varney; Simone Ferrari, Hame Faiva, Pietro Ceccarelli, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (c), Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Marco Manfredi, Federico Zani, Marco Riccioni, David Sisi, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Fusco, Luca Morisi, Lorenzo Pani.
Preamble
It’s been 15 days since France played a match at their own World Cup. Since that 96-0 mauling of Namibia, a lot has happened while Les Bleus were kicking their heels. Ireland and Wales have built on the hosts’ win over the All Blacks to assert northern-hemisphere dominance; Australia have crashed and burned; and New Zealand have scored 240 points in three matches.
For France fans, the focus has been off the field – and more specifically on Antoine Dupont. More specifically still, on Antoine Dupont’s face. The injury inflicted by Johan Deysel’s bad challenge looked set to end the star scrum-half’s World Cup – but he is back with the squad and could return for the quarter-final.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; France have had Pool A in the palm of their hand since the opening game but they aren’t through yet – and Italy could still crash the party in Lyon tonight with a win (and a bit of bonus-point help). And yes, we are talking about that Italy, who lost 96-17 to New Zealand and laboured to wins over Uruguay and Namibia.
In reality, only an unprecedented collective meltdown would see France fall short here. If they can shake off any pre-game nerves, there is an opportunity for the likes of Maxime Lucu, standing in for Dupont, to find their groove as a quarter-final looms – probably against South Africa. The hosts are back and heading for the home straight.
