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The Rugby World Cup is here with excitement building ahead of this evening\u2019s opening fixture.<\/p>\n
It should be a thrilling curtain raiser in Paris, with hosts France taking on New Zealand in an early clash of contenders.<\/p>\n
Both sides are dealing with injury issues but the encounter could offer a chance for either side to lay down an opening night statement of intent.<\/p>\n
England, meanwhile, kick their tournament off on Saturday, with Steve Borthwick producing a first line-up containing a number of surprise selections. They face Argentina, with both sides due to speak at the Stade Velodrome on match eve.<\/p>\n
Scotland are also in Marseille, with Gregor Townsend ready to name his team later on Friday. South Africa confirmed their squad earlier in the week for a vital first encounter in a competitive Pool B.<\/p>\n
Follow all the latest updates from the Rugby World Cup below:<\/strong><\/p>\n England\u2019s starting scrum half has been speaking at the Stade Velodrome ahead of the opening fixture against Argentina.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously for me it has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Being out of the squad and then back in to get a shot tomorrow. It\u2019s been a bit weird, but I\u2019m very excited.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s massive. As a kid, it\u2019s the thing you dream of. To start in the first World Cup game is a massive honour. Hopefully we can get the result.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a pretty positive conversation. There was a lot of competition in my position. I stayed fit, stayed ready and then got the call to come in.\u201d<\/p>\n And as the home favourites sashay into the spotlight, Luke Baker <\/strong>looks at Antoine Dupont, almost indisputably the best player in the world and the face of this fabulous French side.<\/p>\n Fabien Galthie\u2019s France are under immense pressure on home soil but, as Luke Baker writes, their captain is determined to deliver a first World Cup crown<\/p>\n Tonight\u2019s opening fixture really is a doozy, two contenders going tete-a-tete at the earliest opportunity. Luke Baker<\/strong>, our man in Paris, explains why this World Cup feels different for the All Blacks.<\/p>\n New Zealand have rowed back from the brink of complete catastrophe, writes Luke Baker, but they\u2019re far from the juggernaut of old<\/p>\n The Independent <\/em>has got big World Cup team news to share: Scotland legend Stuart Hogg<\/strong> is onboard as a columnist for our premium section for the tournament! Centurion Hogg, his nation\u2019s leading try scorer, will be providing exclusive insight into all of the action across the next eight weeks.<\/p>\n His column will be exclusively available to registered users and premium subscribers of The Independent. <\/em>You can sign up for access here, and read his first column below:<\/p>\n In his first column of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, writing exclusively for The Independent Premium, the Scotland and Lions legend Stuart Hogg tips his nation to pull off some upsets in a tough pool…and reveals the defensive secrets behind their revival <\/p>\n For Alex Mitchell, it\u2019s been a rollercoaster couple of months. When the scrum half was cut from Steve Borthwick\u2019s wider England training squad at the end of June, it looked like his World Cup dreams had been dashed. Mitchell began to contemplate a start of the season with Northampton and a watching tournament brief.<\/p>\n But an injury to Jack van Poortvliet opened the door, and Mitchell, true to form, darted through it. One of England\u2019s only bright spots on an otherwise gloomy day against Fiji, Mitchell has earned himself the starting nine shirt for England\u2019s tournament opener against Argentina in Marseille.<\/p>\n The Saints scrum half has arguably been the form nine, a free thinking sprite with the ability to challenge the line. \u201cIt is immense credit to [him],\u201d Steve Borthwick said after naming his team on Thursday. \u201cHe was incredibly disappointed not to make the original 33-man squad.<\/p>\n The scrum half and Jonny May are surprise inclusions in England\u2019s first starting team of the World Cup having been left out of Steve Borthwick\u2019s initial 33-man squad <\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Rugby World Cup is almost upon us with the 20 competing teams descending on France ahead of the start of the tournament.<\/p>\n On the final weekend of a busy month of warm-up action, France and South Africa showcased their credentials as contenders with thrashings of Australia and New Zealand respectively, but England sunk further into the mire with a first-ever defeat to Fiji.<\/p>\n A lopsided draw sees the world\u2019s top five nations in the men\u2019s rankings all in one half of the draw, opening up a route to the semi-finals for two sides from Pool C and Pool D.<\/p>\n And with a number of nations outside of the traditional rugby powers developing quickly, it could yet be the most unpredictable and exciting tournament yet.<\/p>\nRecommended<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nRugby World Cup 2023: Alex Mitchell on his surprise start for England<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nRugby World Cup: Antoine Dupont has the answer to France pressure<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nAntoine Dupont has the answer to France pressure as face of World Cup<\/h3>\n
Rugby World Cup: Why this tournament feels different for the vulnerable All Blacks<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nWhy this Rugby World Cup feels different for the vulnerable All Blacks<\/h3>\n
Rugby World Cup: Stuart Hogg joins The Independent as a columnist for the tournament<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nStuart Hogg column: Scotland can cause a stir in wide open Rugby World Cup<\/h3>\n
Alex Mitchell selection hints at England\u2019s need for speed against Argentina<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nAlex Mitchell selection hints at England\u2019s need for speed against Argentina<\/h3>\n
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Rating every nation\u2019s chances ahead of the tournament<\/h3>\n
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