05 October 2023
21:00 - RWC 2023 - Group A - All Blacks vs Uruguay
All Blacks captain Sam Cane returns to lead the side in their final Pool A match against Uruguay at OL Stadium in Lyon on Thursday, after making his comeback from a back issue off the bench in their 96-17 victory over Italy. There are nine changes in all, with Cam Roigard starting at scrum-half, Damian McKenzie at full-back and second-row Sam Whitelock playing his 23rd Rugby World Cup match, surpassing England’s Jason Leonard and New Zealand’s Richie McCaw for the all-time appearance record.
Uruguay head coach Esteban Meneses has named his match-day 23 to play New Zealand in OL Stadium in Lyon on Thursday, with seven changes to the starting XV from the game against Namibia, including the return of the experienced Rodrigo Silva (pictured) at full-back.
All Blacks: 1 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane (c), 8 Luke Jacobson, 9 Cam Roigard, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 11 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Damian McKenzie. Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Caleb Clarke.
Uruguay: 1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 German Kessler, 3 Diego Arbelo, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Manuel Leindekar, 6 Manuel Ardao, 7 Lucas Bianchi, 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Santiago Arata, 10 Felipe Etcheverry, 11 Nicolas Freitas, 12 Andres Vilaseca (c), 13 Tomas Inciarte, 14 Gaston Mieres, 15 Rodrigo Silva. Replacements: 16 Guillermo Pujadas, 17 Matias Benitez, 18 Ignacio Peculo, 19 Juan Manuel, Rodríguez, 20 Santiago Civetta, 21 Agustin Ormaechea, 22 Felipe Berchesi, 23 Juan Manuel Alonso.
06 October 2023
21:00 - RWC 2023 - Group A - France vs Italy
France head coach Fabien Galthié has named his 23-man match-day squad for Friday's Pool A game against Italy in Lyon as Maxime Lucu starts at scrum-half in place of injured captain Antoine Dupont, Grégory Alldritt returns to the starting back-row as Francois Cros moves to the bench, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey again gets the nod over Gabin Villiere on the left wing.
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley has named his matchday 23 to face France in Lyon on Friday. Simone Ferrari (pictured right), Hame Faiva and Pietro Ceccarelli form a completely new front row after scrum struggles and injuries in the 96-17 defeat to New Zealand, while star backs Tommaso Allan, Paolo Garbisi and Ange Capuozzo all switch positions.
France: 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Cameron Woki, 5 Thibaud Flament, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Charles Ollivon (c), 8 Grégory Alldritt, 9 Maxime Lucu, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 12 Jonathan Danty, 13 Gael Fickou, 14 Damian Penaud, 15 Thomas Ramos. Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Baptiste Couilloud, 22 Yoram Moefana, 23 Melvyn Jaminet.
Italy: 1 Simone Ferrari, 2 Hame Faiva, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Federico Ruzza, 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 9 Stephen Varney, 10 Tommaso Allan, 11 Montanna Ioane, 12 Paolo Garbisi, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Pierre Bruno, 15 Ange Capuozzo. Replacements: 16 Marco Manfredi, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 David Sisi, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Alessandro Fusco, 22 Luca Morisi, 23 Lorenzo Pani.
07 October 2023
15:00 - RWC 2023 - Group C - Wales vs Georgia
Georgia head coach Levan Maisashvili has made five changes to his starting side to face Wales at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Saturday, 7 October. Guram Gogichashvili and Shalva Mamukashvili return to the front row, Nodar Cheishvili comes into the second row while captain Merab Sharikadze returns at centre and full-back Lasha Khmaladze makes his first appearance at Rugby World Cup 2023.
Georgia: 1 Guram Gogichashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 4 Nodar Cheishvili, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze, 7 Beka Saginadze, 8 Tornike Jalagonia, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 10 Luka Matkava, 11 Davit Niniashvili, 12 Merab Sharikadze (c), 13 Giorgi Kveseladze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 15 Lasha Khmaladze. Replacements: 16 Vano Karkadze, 17 Nika Abuladze, 18 Irakli Aptsiauri, 19 Vladimer Chachanidze, 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 21 Gela Aprasidze, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Demur Tapladze.
17:45 - RWC 2023 - Group D - England vs Samoa
Tom Curry has returned from suspension to join England's back-row as head coach Steve Borthwick names his 23-man match-day squad to face Samoa at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Pool D in Lille on Saturday, 7 October.
Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua names an all-new front row of Jordan Lay, Sama Malolo (pictured in action against Japan) and captain Michael Alaalatoa and a new second row of Sam Slade and Brian Alainu’u’ese for his team's Pool D match against England in Lille on Saturday.
England: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl, 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 George Ford, 11 Jonny May, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 13 Manu Tuilagi, 14 Joe Marchant, 15 Freddie Steward. Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 George Martin, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Ollie Lawrence.
Samoa: 1 Jordan Lay, 2 Sama Malolo, 3 Michael Alaalatoa (c), 4 Sam Slade, 5 Brian Alainu'u'ese, 6 Theo McFarland, 7 Fritz Lee, 8 Steven Luatua, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 11 Neria Fomai, 12 Danny Toala, 13 Tumua Manu, 14 Nigel Ah-Wong, 15 Duncan Paia'aua. Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 James Lay, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Sootala Fa'aso'o, 20 Alamanda Motuga, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Christian Leali'ifano, 23 Miracle Faiilagi.
21:00 - RWC 2023 - Group B - Ireland vs Scotland
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made two changes to his starting side to face Scotland in their final Pool B match at Stade de France on Saturday, 7 October, with Iain Henderson coming into the second row for James Ryan, who drops to the bench, and Dan Sheehan taking over at hooker from Ronan Kelleher. Flanker Peter O'Mahony will win his 100th Ireland cap.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named his match-day 23 to face Ireland in Stade de France on Saturday, 7 October. Second-row Grant Gilchrist, scrum-half Ali Price and right-wing Darcy Graham retain their places in the starting XV after the 84-0 win over Romania, with captain Jamie Ritchie passed fit to return at blindside flanker after suffering a head knock in their previous match against Tonga.
Ireland: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen, 15 Hugo Keenan. Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Stuart McCloskey.
Scotland: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Jamie Ritchie (c), 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey, 9 Ali Price, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Darcy Graham, 15 Blair Kinghorn. Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 WP Nel, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Matt Fagerson, 21 Luke Crosbie, 22 George Horne, 23 Ollie Smith.
08 October 2023
13:00 - RWC 2023 - Group D - Japan vs Argentina
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named his matchday 23 to face Argentina in Nantes on Sunday, with Siosaia Fifita replacing Jone Naikabula on the left wing in the only change to the starting XV from the 28-22 victory against Samoa.
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has named his matchday 23 to face Japan in Nantes on Sunday, with Santiago Carreras (pictured) returning at fly-half in place of Nicolas Sanchez and prop Francisco Gómez Kodela making his first start since the opening-game defeat against England.
Japan: 1 Keita Inagaki, 2 Shota Horie, 3 Jiwon Gu, 4 Jack Cornelsen, 5 Amato Fakatava, 6 Michael Leitch, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 8 Kazuki Himeno (c), 9 Naoto Saito, 10 Rikiya Matsuda, 11 Siosaia Fifita, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 13 Dylan Riley, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 15 Lomano Lemeki. Replacements: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Warner Dearns, 20 Amanaki Saumaki, 21 Yutaka Nagare, 22 Ryohei Yamanaka, 23 Jone Naikabula.
Argentina: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizabal, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras, 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 15 Juan Cruz Mallia. Replacements: 16 Agustín Creevy,
17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Pedro Rubiolo, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Nicolas Sanchez, 23 Matías Moroni.
17:45 - RWC 2023 - Group B - Tonga vs Romania
Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu has announced his squad to face Romania in Lille on Sunday, with most-capped player Sonatane Takulua (pictured) returning at scrum-half to captain the team.
Romania head coach Eugen Apjok has named his matchday 23 to face Tonga in Lille on Sunday, with hooker Ovidiu Cojocaru to captain a team showing nine changes from the defeat to Scotland. Regular captain Cristi Chirica drops out of the 23 altogether.
Tonga: 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 2 Paula Ngauamo, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 4 Halaleva Fifita, 5 Adam Coleman, 6 Semisi Paea, 7 Sione Talitui, 8 Sione Vailanu, 9 Sonatane Takulua (c), 10 William Havili, 11 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 George Moala, 14 Solomone Kata, 15 Salesi Piutau. Replacements: 16 Sione Anga'aelangi, 17 Paula Latu, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Penitoa Finau, 21 Manusiu Paea, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Kyren Taumoefolau.
Romania: 1 Alexandru Savin, 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru (c), 3 Alexandru Gordas, 4 Adrian Motoc, 5 Marius Iftimiciuc, 6 Vlad Neculau, 7 Cristi Boboc, 8 Andre Gorin, 9 Florin Surugiu, 10 Alin Conache, 11 Taliauli Sikuea, 12 Fonovai Tangimana, 13 Tevita Manumua, 14 Nicholas Onutu, 15 Marius Simionescu. Replacements: 16 Robert Irimescu, 17 Iulian Hartig, 18 Costel Burtila, 19 Florian Rosu, 20 Damian Stratila, 21 Gabriel Rupanu, 22 Alexandru Bucur, 23 Mihai Graure.
21:00 - RWC 2023 - Group C - Fiji vs Portugal
Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui has named his matchday 23 to face Portugal in Toulouse on Sunday, with Vilimoni Botitu starting at 10 for only the second time for Fiji in one of six changes to the starting line-up from their last game against Georgia.
Portugal head coach Patrice Lagisquet has announced his squad to face Fiji in Toulouse on Sunday, with Tomas Appleton dropping to the bench and José Lima taking his place as captain and inside-centre in one of five changes to the starting XV from their last game against Australia.
Fiji: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 3 Luke Tagi, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 7 Levani Botia, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Vilimoni Botitu, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 12 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 15 Sireli Maqala. Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Iosefo Masi.
Portugal: 1 Francisco Fernandes, 2 Mike Tadjer, 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira, 4 José Madeira, 5 Steevy Cerqueira, 6 David Wallis, 7 Nicolas Martins, 8 Rafael Simões, 9 Samuel Marques, 10 Jerónimo Portela, 11 Rodrigo Marta, 12 José Lima (c), 13 Pedro Bettencourt, 14 Raffaele Storti, 15 Manuel Cardoso Pinto. Replacements: 16 David Costa, 17 Duarte Diniz, 18 Anthony Alves, 19 Duarte Torgal, 20 João Granate, 21 João Belo, 22 Tomás Appleton, 23 Vincent Pinto.
