Paris (AFP)
The XV of France will launch the 2023 World Cup at home with a shock against the New Zealand All Blacks on September 8, according to the competition schedule unveiled on Friday.
The Blues, placed in Pool A, will finish the group stage against Italy on October 6 in Lyon.
The final takes place on October 28 at the Stade de France.
France will also face a qualifier from the America zone on September 14 in Lille, then that of the Africa zone on September 21 in Marseille.
This is the eighth match between the French and New Zealanders in the World Cup.
In 2011, the two nations had already faced each other in the group stage, for a victory for the All Blacks (37-17), before ending up in the final (8-7).
In total, the Blues have only beaten the team twice, 43-31 in the semifinals of the 1999 edition and 20-18 in the quarterfinals of the 2007 World Cup.
For their part, the South African title holders launch the defense of their world crown in front of Scotland on September 10 at the Stade Vélodrome.
The teammates of Cheslin Kolbe and Siya Kolisi will also cross swords with Ireland on September 23 at the Stade de France while the duel between the two Celtic neighbors will take place in the Dionysian enclosure on October 7.
In Pool D, England will find Argentina on September 9, which the XV de la Rose had chewed without batting an eyelid (39-10) during the group stage in 2019, and Japan, the last host country of the World Cup .
Finally, the Fijians will have a lot to do in Group C, with Wales, which they challenge on September 10 in Bordeaux, and Australia, on September 17 in Saint-Etienne.
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