England team LIVE: Rugby World Cup announcement for opener against Argentina

The Rugby World Cup’s opening fixture is just a day away, with preparations intensifying ahead of the tournament.

France and New Zealand have confirmed their line-ups for the curtain-raiser, with likely starting inside centres Jonathan Danty and Jordie Barrett both absent for the Paris clash due to injury.

The Stade de France encounter will kick off a busy opening weekend, with plenty of attention on events in Marseille with two crucial games being held in the city. England and Argentina meet at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday, before Scotland take on defending champions South Africa a day later in a vital Pool B meeting.

England named their opening World Cup team on Thursday, with Alex Mitchell – who wasn’t even selected in the initial World Cup squad – to start at scrum half, while most of the 20 nations competing in France are also set to hold press conferences as the tournament is just around the corner.

Follow all the latest updates from the Rugby World Cup below:

Rugby World Cup latest news

• Tournament begins when France face New Zealand in Paris on Friday night

• England pick Alex Mitchell at scrum half for clash with Argentina

• Johnny Sexton will make his first appearance in almost six months as Ireland name team to face Romania

• South Africa face Scotland in another crucial opening weekend fixture

• England XV to face Argentina on Saturday

Ex-All Blacks worried about players ‘faking injury’ at Rugby World Cup after Scott Barrett incident

18:30 , Mike Jones

Former All Blacks Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina are fearful that players may fake injuries during the Rugby World Cup to try and draw attention to potential incidents of foul play.

New Zealand lock Scott Barrett was shown a second yellow card and sent off after dropping a shoulder into South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx during the All Blacks’ record defeat to the Springboks at Twickenham.

Marx received treatment after Barrett’s tucked arm made initial contact with his shoulder while the front rower was lying prone adjacent to a ruck, with television match official (TMO) Tom Foley alerting referee Matthew Carley to potential foul play during the delay.

Ex-All Blacks fear players could fake injuries at Rugby World Cup

Evolved South Africa side bid to retain Rugby World Cup – but one factor might prevent them

18:15 , Mike Jones

A more emphatic declaration of World Cup intent there could not have been. As the All Blacks hauled themselves off the Twickenham pitch, battered, bruised and beaten by a record margin, South Africa were already looking at what was next. A fortnight before the tournament, and four years on from a triumph that united a nation, the world champion Springboks were back in business and had their eyes fixed squarely on a World Cup prize.

The 36-7 win counted for nothing tangible in the context of the tournament to come but the message was clear.

Ireland and France may have risen to form a leading quartet of contenders but the Webb Ellis Cup will not be prized easily out of South Africa’s hands.

Evolved South Africa can retain World Cup – but one factor might prevent them

Danny Care reveals the best gifts the England squad got each other

18:00 , Mike Jones

Danny Care has revealed the best presents that members of England’s Rugby World Cup squad bought for each other, including a personalised gift from fly-half, Marcus Smith.

The England scrum-half is back in a World Cup squad for the first time since 2015 having missed out on selection for Japan four years ago.

As Steve Borthwick’s side settle down at their training base in northern France, efforts have been made to boost morale, with a newly formed tradition seeing each player get a small gift for the remaining 32 members of the squad.

Danny Care reveals the best gifts the England squad got each other

NFL-style lawsuit and brain-injury concerns hang over Rugby World Cup

17:48 , Mike Jones

Alix Popham traveled the world as a rugby player. He played 33 times for Wales and competed at two Rugby World Cups, and even got to meet Nelson Mandela before a match in South Africa.

Or so he’s told. He can’t actually remember. Popham is 43 and his rugby career is, in his words, “all a blur.”

NFL-style lawsuit and brain-injury concerns hang over Rugby World Cup

Johnny Sexton returns as Ireland confirm two key absentees for World Cup line-up to face Romania

17:35 , Mike Jones

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will make his first competitive appearance in almost six months after being selected to start Saturday’s Rugby World Cup clash with Romania.

Fly-half Sexton missed his country’s three warm-up matches through suspension, having not played since injuring a groin as Ireland clinched the Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam on March 18.

The 38-year-old, who will retire after the tournament, will partner Leinster team-mate Jamison Gibson-Park on his long-awaited comeback in Bordeaux.

Johnny Sexton returns as Ireland confirm two key absentees for World Cup line-up

Scotland and Lions legend Stuart Hogg joins The Independent for 2023 Rugby World Cup

17:23 , Mike Jones

Scotland rugby legend Stuart Hogg will be part of The Independent’s team covering the 2023 Rugby World Cup, as he provides expert analysis of what promises to be a mouthwatering tournament in France.

Hogg will be giving his views on the seven-week tournament with a series of first-person columns, discussing both Scotland and all the other World Cup contenders as the action unfolds in Paris, Marseille, Lille and beyond.

His insight will be exclusively available to registered users and premium subscribers of The Independent. You can sign up for access here.

Scotland legend Stuart Hogg joins The Independent for 2023 Rugby World Cup

Steve Borthwick on Jonny May and Manu Tuilagi

17:15 , Mike Jones

Two more surprising inclusions in England’s starting XV are Jonny May and Manu Tuilagi but Steve Borthwick believes both men will rise to the occasion.

“His [May’s] preparation on a daily basis has been fantastic, he’s been exemplary in that regard. He’s done every training session with us. I thought his performance against Fiji was also very good and he’s earned his place in the team for this week.” Borthwick said about May before adding:

“He’s [Tuilagi] had to overcome setbacks. What you see with Manu is somebody who is incredibly resilient, somebody that the other players have incredible respect for. He’s a great cornerstone within this team.

“He’s a quiet man, goes about his work in that understated manner. We’re very fortunate to have him. With that ability, resilience, willing to overcome setbacks - which could be said for a number of players - which is why I’m expecting England now to overcome a lot of things.”

Lawes and Borthwick on England being written off

17:07 , Mike Jones

England head into the World Cup in rotten form and for many people that means they don’t have a chance of winning the tournament.

Courtney Lawes and Steve Borthwick were asked if the players were aware of the criticism and how they are going to handle it.

“It’s obviously a bit of fuel for the fire, gives us motivation,” said Lawes, “We want to perform for each other, mainly. Things feel like they’re really starting to fall into place and we have some genuine excitement.

“It’s the first game of the World Cup and we’re going to be well up for it.

Borthwick added: “I sense the frustration [in the players], what people have been saying about them. When I watched this team prepare this last week, our expectation is they will go and perform with the quality they’ve had.

“I echo Courtney’s words, absolutely. This is a fantastic tournament and everyone can’t wait to get started.

“There’s a feeling among the players that people have called time a bit too early on this squad, and I think there’s a lot of class in this squad. The players have a hell of a lot more to go.”

Courtney Lawes to captain England against Argentina

17:00 , Mike Jones

In the absence of Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes will captain England against Argentina on Saturday. He attended the press conference alongside Steve Borthwick and answered a few questions about the team’s preparations and what it feels like to lead the country’s team.

“It’s huge for me, a big honour. I just want to do my best for the boys and the people at home supporting us,” he said, “It’s a really exciting weekend. We’ve had a really good training week and we’re looking forward to getting stuck in.

“We have to be defensively and physically sound. We have to match [Argentina] up front first and foremost. And we have a game plan put in place which will suit our strengths and give us plenty of options.

“There’s definitely frustration. We feel it as much as anybody. We’re in the thick of it. We’re doing everything we can to make sure come this weekend we are firing on all cylinders.

“It’s going to be a hell of a spectacle, so, enjoy it. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”

Borthwick talks opening match versus Argentina

16:53 , Mike Jones

Steve Borthwick’s press conference continued with the England boss addressing who he sees the match against Argentina playing out.

“They are an exceptionally strong side,” he admitted, “In the past year they have beaten England at Twickenham, New Zealand, Australia.

“They are a formidable challenge, arguably the best Argentinian side to come to a Rugby World Cup.

“We know we’re going to be very good this weekend and I have every confidence in the players with this great blend of experience and youth, who have been performed on the biggest of stages previously.

“I sense a real determination to go and perform to the best of their abilities.”

Steve Borthwick on bringing in Alex Mitchell

16:47 , Mike Jones

England head coach, Steve Borthwick has been giving a press conference following the announcement of the starting XV that will face Argentina.

He explained why he decided to select Alex Mitchell despite not having him in the original 33-man squad.

“It’s immense credit to ‘Mitch’ in that he was incredibly disappointed not to make the original 33-man squad.” said Borthwick, “I asked every player to go away and ensure they were ready to be the next man in.

“An opportunity opened up and I thought one of the positives that came out of the Fiji game was his performance. He played well and he’s trained exceptionally well.

“At scrum-half we have a lot of depth, really good players. To start this game, what ‘Mitch’ brings is right for this team and the combinations we have. Everyone knows he is a dangerous running threat.

“What Care and Youngs bring are strengths in their game. Each week is about picking the best two scrum-halves to get the job done that week.”

Antoine Dupont has the answer to France pressure as face of Rugby World Cup

16:40 , Mike Jones

The more of France you watch, the more you realise – this is Antoine Dupont’s world and we’re all just living in it.

Dupont has a skillset that is unique among not only scrum halves but all rugby players. The vision and distribution that any world-class No 9 has is married with a sniping acceleration and fleetness of foot up there with the best wingers in the world.

A low centre of gravity gives him the strength of a bowling ball skittling defenders and means he is seemingly impervious to the disruptive influence of opposition flankers lurking around the ruck.

Antoine Dupont has the answer to France pressure as face of World Cup

England's Curry, Mitchell and May start against Argentina

16:28 , Mike Jones

England flanker Tom Curry has been picked for their World Cup opener against Argentina on Saturday despite not playing any rugby since suffering a hamstring injury in May, while there was also a surprise start for scrumhalf Alex Mitchell.

Curry, one of the stars of England’s run to the final four years ago, returns at openside flanker in the team named by coach Steve Borthwick on Thursday.

Jonny May, a late addition to the squad after Anthony Watson’s injury, starts at right wing, with Elliot Daly on the left.

In the absence of the suspended Billy Vunipola, the only specialist number eight in the squad, Ben Earls packs down at the back of the scrum.

Mitchell, who was called up to the squad only after injury ruled out Jack van Poortvliet, starts at scrumhalf, with veteran Danny Care on the bench.

Owen Farrell’s suspension opens the way for George Ford at flyhalf, with Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant in the centres.

Courtney Lawes will captain the team from blindside flanker while fellow international centurion Dan Cole is a surprise starter at tighthead prop.

Marcus Smith is among the replacements, covering the flyhalf and fullback positions despite never starting a professional game at 15.

(Reuters)

Argentina pick six forwards on the bench against England

16:16 , Mike Jones

Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia returns at fullback to face England in their Rugby World Cup Pool D clash in Marseille on Saturday as coach Michael Cheika opted for six forwards on the bench.

Mallia is part of a back three with goal-kicker Emiliano Boffelli and Mateo Carreras on the wings and a powerful midfield of Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti.

Santiago Carreras is at flyhalf and Gonzalo Bertranou gets the nod at number nine in what has been Cheika’s preferred half-back pairing this season.

The team is captained by hooker Julian Montoya, who packs down with props Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela. Montoya was Argentina’s leading try-scorer at the 2019 World Cup and six of his 11 career tries have come at global tournaments.

The second row is made up of fit-again Matias Alemanno and Tomas Lavanini, who last played as a pair at the World Cup in 2015. Former captain Pablo Matera is on the flank along with Marcos Kremer, and Juan Martin Gonzalez is at number eight, as Cheika named a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on his bench.

“There was a lot of preparation, not only the weeks in Portugal (in a training camp), but also for the work done in Argentina. All our players are ready for the first game,” Cheika said earlier this week, adding that he would not be drawn into complacency by England’s recent troubles.

England slumped to a 30-22 loss against Fiji at Twickenham last month to record their first-ever defeat by the visitors, leaving them in disarray ahead of the World Cup

“We are only thinking about ourselves,” added Cheika. “I say it with being respectful: everything happening outside is a distraction for us.”

Replacement hooker Agustin Creevy will play in his fourth World Cup, joining Mario Ledesma, Felipe Contepomi and Martin Scelzo for most by an Argentine.

Argentina also face Samoa, Japan and Chile in Pool D.

(Reuters)

Steve Borthwick on Argentina test

16:04 , Mike Jones

England head coach Steve Borthwick had this to say when naming his starting XV for his team’s opener against Argentina on Saturday:

“With an excellent week of preparation in Le Touquet, the players are now looking forward to starting their Rugby World Cup campaign under the lights in Marseille on Saturday.

“After a number of impressive performances in the last 12 months by Argentina, we know that the first game in our pool will provide a stern test.

“This great tournament provides an excitingly special opportunity for our players, who I know, as ever, will be giving their all in front of our travelling support in the south of France.”

How Scotland can overcome cruel luck to thrive at Rugby World Cup

15:52 , Luke Baker

Pessimism can sometimes seem to come a little too naturally to Scottish rugby fans, a certain fatalism worn almost as a badge of honour after too many days of disappointment and dejection, of squandered opportunities and wondering what might have been.

It perhaps feels somewhat appropriate, then, for Gregor Townsend to have assembled perhaps the finest side in the nation’s long rugby history and still know a second successive World Cup pool stage effort is on the cards if the tournament goes to form. Plenty has already been written about the lopsided draw but it feels particularly cruel to the Scots, inarguably among the top five sides in the world but drawn together with two of the four top favourites in the pool.

Townsend’s band of history makers have risen to new heights over these last four years, turning Calcutta Cup hope almost into expectation and building further through these last few months. Top to bottom, the likely 23 that will begin the tournament against South Africa in Marseille contains few clear weaknesses.

Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full rundown of the Scottish team:

How Scotland can overcome cruel luck to create World Cup history

Topsy Ojo backs Steve Borthwick’s England to come good at World Cup

15:40 , Luke Baker

Topsy Ojo has backed under-pressure England head coach Steve Borthwick to turn his side’s poor form around at the World Cup in France.

England have won just two of their nine fixtures in 2023 and will look to ignite their World Cup bid in their crucial opening Pool D fixture against Argentina on Saturday.

Former London Irish and England player Ojo acknowledged Borthwick’s side have not won enough games of late but insists they have the tools to create an upturn in form.

“There’s definitely a lot of pressure on him (Borthwick) at the minute,” Ojo said. “He’ll know that he’s not won enough games and the pressure comes down to how well this World Cup goes for him.

“If England don’t get out of the group then the pressure will increase tenfold and people will ask questions. I do (have faith in Borthwick and England), especially when I look at what he’s done as a coach and the playing group.”

Topsy Ojo backs Steve Borthwick’s England to come good at World Cup

Argentina team to face England

15:37 , Mike Jones

Argentina XV: Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya, Thomas Gallo

Replacements: Augustin Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Matias Moroni

England team to face Argentina

15:34 , Mike Jones

England XV: Freddie Steward, Jonny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Alex Mitchell, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Ben Earl

Replacements: Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, George Martin, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence

France World Cup lock Bastien Chalureau insists ‘I’m not racist’ despite conviction

15:31 , Luke Baker

France lock Bastien Chalureau has denied accusations he is racist during an emotional press conference following his controversial call-up for the Rugby World Cup.

The 31-year-old Montpellier player is appealing against a suspended six-month prison sentence for a racially-motivated attack in 2020.

Chalureau, who has six Test caps, was added to Les Bleus’ 33-man squad by head coach Fabien Galthie following the injury withdrawal of Paul Willemse.

“I am not a racist, I do not have those values,” he told a press conference on Monday. “What I want to say to you is that I confessed to my mistakes, that I paid my debts and I deny all claims about racist remarks.”

While visiting the squad on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron was recorded telling head coach Galthie: “We don’t want the controversy getting out of hand.”

France World Cup lock insists ‘I’m not racist’ despite conviction

Rugby World Cup fixtures

15:23 , Luke Baker

POOL D

Sat 9 Sept England v Argentina (8pm, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Sun 10 Sept Japan v Chile (noon, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

Sat 16 Sept Samoa v Chile (2pm, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sun 17 Sept England v Japan (8pm, Stade de Nice, Nice)

Fri 22 Sept Argentina v Samoa (4.45pm, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne)

Sat 23 Sept England v Chile (4.45pm, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Thu 28 Sept Japan v Samoa (8pm, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

Sat 30 Sept Argentina v Chile (2pm, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes)

Sat 7 Oct England v Samoa (4.45pm, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Sun 8 Oct Japan v Argentina (noon, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes)

Rugby World Cup fixtures

15:11 , Luke Baker

POOL C

Group fixtures:

Sat 9 Sept Australia v Georgia (5pm, Stade de France, Paris)

Sun 10 Sept Wales v Fiji (8pm, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sat 16 Sept Wales v Portugal (4.45pm, Stade de Nice, Nice)

Sun 17 Sept Australia v Fiji (4.45pm, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne)

Sat 23 Sept Georgia v Portugal (1pm, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

Sun 24 Sept Wales v Australia (8pm, Parc OL, Lyon)

Sat 30 Sept Fiji v Georgia (4.45pm, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sun 1 Oct Australia v Portugal (4.45pm, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne)

Sat 7 Oct Wales v Georgia (2pm, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes)

Sun 8 Oct Fiji v Portugal (8pm, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

Steve Borthwick springs scrum half surprise for England’s World Cup opener against Argentina

15:06 , Luke Baker

Alex Mitchell will start at scrum half for England against Argentina in Marseille with Steve Borthwick making a number of surprise selection calls for England’s Rugby World Cup opener.

Mitchell was left out of Borthwick’s training squad at the end of June, but was called back into the 33-man group after an injury to Jack van Poortvliet.

The Northampton Saints half back has leapfrogged veteran nines Ben Youngs and Danny Care in the pecking order to start England’s first Pool D fixture at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday.

Jonny May is also a surprise starter, with the experienced wing similarly called into the 33 after Anthony Watson’s injury.

Full story on England’s team selection:

Steve Borthwick springs scrum half surprise for England’s World Cup opener

Rugby World Cup fixtures

15:02 , Luke Baker

POOL B

Group fixtures:

Sat 9 Sept Ireland v Romania (2.30pm, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sun 10 Sept South Africa v Scotland (4.45pm, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Sat 16 Sept Ireland v Tonga (8pm, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes)

Sun 17 Sept South Africa v Romania (2pm, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sat 23 Sept South Africa v Ireland (8pm, Stade de France, Paris)

Sun 24 Sept Scotland v Tonga (4.45pm, Stade de Nice, Nice)

Sat 30 Sept Scotland v Romania (8pm, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Sun 1 Oct South Africa v Tonga (8pm, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Sat 7 Oct Ireland v Scotland (8pm, Stade de France, Paris)

Sun 8 Oct Tonga v Romania (4.45pm, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Rugby World Cup fixtures

14:50 , Luke Baker

POOL A

Group fixtures:

Fri 8 Sept France v New Zealand (8.15pm, Stade de France, Paris)

Sat 9 Sept Italy v Namibia (12pm, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne)

Thu 14 Sept France v Uruguay (8pm, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Fri 15 Sept New Zealand v Namibia (8pm, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

Wed 20 Sept Italy v Uruguay (4.45pm, Stade de Nice, Nice)

Thu 21 Sept France v Namibia (8pm, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Wed 27 Sept Uruguay v Namibia (4.45pm, Parc OL, Lyon)

Fri 29 Sept New Zealand v Italy (8pm, Parc OL, Lyon)

Thu 5 Oct New Zealand v Uruguay (8pm, Parc OL, Lyon)

Fri 6 Oct France v Italy (8pm, Parc OL, Lyon)

Eddie Jones brings noise and unpredictability – but also gives Australia a proven route to success

14:39 , Luke Baker

Few would have expected a quiet ride to the World Cup when Australia rehired Eddie Jones in January, but even by his headline-a-minute standards, these last few months have felt particularly rich in debate and drama.

Call it the increasingly outdated approach of a populist pretender clinging to a final chance at glory, or the masterful manoeuvres of a veteran schemer successfully taking the attention off his struggling side, but since his return to Sydney as Dave Rennie’s replacement, Jones has most certainly played the hits.

There was the jettisoning from the most inexperienced Australia squad in recent memory of Michael Hooper, presumed skipper, and Quade Cooper. There was the talking up of uncapped flanker Josh Kemeny as a potential wing option. There was the eve-of-tournament departure of attack coach Brad Davis, which brought about the “worst press conference ever” (Jones, 2023), where Australia’s head coach told journalists to give themselves “uppercuts” in his final press engagement before departing for the World Cup.

Eddie Jones brings noise - but also gives Australia a proven route to success

Rugby World Cup 2023 TV schedule: Channels, times and how to watch every fixture online

14:26 , Luke Baker

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is getting under way on Friday 8 September when hosts France take on much-fancied New Zealand in a mouth-watering opener in Paris.

A lop-sided draw means pools A and B are stacked with much of the world’s heavyweight nations and sees South Africa, Ireland and Scotland all fighting to qualify from the same group.

It also opens up a path for progress on the weaker side of the draw and means two of Wales, Australia, Fiji, England, Argentina and Japan are likely to reach the semi-finals.

Chile make their tournament debut after beating Canada and the USA in Americas qualifying, while Portugal are set to return to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.

Here is how to watch the tournament on TV in the UK – details of the knockout stages will be decided at a later date:

Rugby World Cup 2023 on TV: Channels, times and how to watch every fixture online

England rugby artwork unveiled at Louvre in Paris ahead of World Cup

14:13 , Luke Baker

Fan-inspired England rugby artwork has been “unveiled” at the Louvre Museum in Paris ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

The portrait, which features real fans, was created by award-winning Canadian artist Vincent McIndoe and is inspired by the host nation through the “French Romanticism” style which captures the emotion and drama fans feel while supporting their team.

Former England captain Dylan Hartley was seen unveiling the painting at the Louvre ahead of it travelling to other Paris landmarks and locations such as the Arc de Triomphe and along the Seine.

Danny Care reveals the best gifts the England squad got each other

14:01 , Luke Baker

Danny Care has revealed the best presents that members of England’s Rugby World Cup squad bought for each other, including a personalised gift from fly-half, Marcus Smith.

The England scrum-half is back in a World Cup squad for the first time since 2015 having missed out on selection for Japan four years ago.

As Steve Borthwick’s side settle down at their training base in northern France, efforts have been made to boost morale, with a newly formed tradition seeing each player get a small gift for the remaining 32 members of the squad.

“It was a thing Ben Youngs brought in in the 2019 [Rugby World Cup], he thought it would be great for squad morale,” Care explained on BBC’s Rugby Union Daily podcast. “Go through your contacts or be generous and buy a gift for everyone as a well done for making the squad.

“I did put some big pressure on the big dogs this year – Owen Farrell, Mauro Itoje, Marcus Smith – the guys earning all the sponsorship deals. We had to get some heat on them to deliver but boy did some of them deliver.”

Danny Care reveals the best gifts the England squad got each other

France admit history is here to be written ahead of mouth-watering World Cup opener

13:47 , Luke Baker

Past meetings between two old foes will count for nothing when France and New Zealand face off in what promises to be another vintage clash in the Rugby World Cup curtain raiser on Friday, Les Bleus’ general manager Raphael Ibanez said.

The former France captain was in the team who beat the All Blacks in the 2007 quarter-finals but, while it remains a great memory, Ibanez believes past achievements will not help his team beat the three-time world champions at the Stade de France.

“I don’t think past matches will have any bearing on the outcome of tomorrow’s game,” Ibanez told a news conference on Thursday. “It’s something we discussed with everyone in the squad but to be honest there are no lessons to learn from those past games. We’re in front of a blank page.”

Lock Cameron Woki said this France team would write their own chapter. “For this generation history is to be written,” he said.

France and New Zealand have played several classics, with Les Bleus’ sensational 43-31 semi-final win at Twickenham in 1999 being ingrained in every rugby fan’s memory.

However, the last World Cup encounter turned into a nightmare for France, who were hammered 62-13 in the quarter-finals in 2015.

Fly half Matthieu Jalibert, who starts alongside captain Antoine Dupont as Romain Ntamack is missing the tournament with a knee injury, warned that precise kicking would be paramount.

“It’s a lethal weapon at international level and we’ve been using it a lot in recent matches,” he said. “The more pressure we put on our opponents the more we put them in difficulty. Tomorrow will be a very strategic game. You can’t give them easy balls - and the kicking game will be decisive.”

Italy opt for attacking side as Namibia await

13:35 , Luke Baker

Italy have brought in English-born lock Dino Lamb and prop Danilo Fischetti to their starting XV for the Rugby World Cup clash against Namibia in Saint-Etienne on Saturday, the only changes from their final warm-up win over Japan last month.

Coach Kieran Crowley has selected an otherwise settled side that sees Paolo Garbisi at fly half, Tommaso Allan in the full back position and livewire wing Ange Capuozzo as part of an attacking backline selection.

Monty Ioane, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the 42-21 victory over Japan, keeps his place, with loose forward Michele Lamaro to captain the side.

Lamb has replaced Niccolo Cannone, who is not in the matchday 23, while Fischetti comes in for Ivan Nemer, who has dropped to the bench.

“We’ve obviously had a look at Namibia and we understand the sort of game they will bring to us, we think,” coach Kieran Crowley told reporters. “And so, we’ve got a couple of options we want to try but our main focus is on our performance.

“We have to be precise in what we do, we have to control our possession and that’s the same with any game; you’ve got to have composure under the pressure they will put us under at times. If we can get those three things right in this game, we will be pretty happy about it.”

Italy team: 15-Tommaso Allan, 14-Ange Capuozzo, 13-Juan Ignacio Brex, 12-Luca Morisi, 11-Montanna Ioane, 10-Paolo Garbisi, 9-Stephen Varney, 8-Lorenzo Cannone, 7-Michele Lamaro (captain), 6-Sebastian Negri, 5-Federico Ruzza, 4-Dino Lamb, 3-Simone Ferrari, 2-Giacomo Nicotera, 1-Danilo Fischetti

Replacements: 16-Hame Faiva, 17-Ivan Nemer, 18-Marco Riccioni, 19-David Sisi, 20-Manuel Zuliani, 21-Martin Page-Relo, 22-Paolo Odogwu, 23-Pierre Bruno

Romania shuffle backline for Ireland test

13:20 , Luke Baker

New Zealand-born Hinckley Vaovasa will start at fly half for Romania in their Rugby World Cup Pool B opener against Ireland on Saturday as No 8 Cristian Chirica wears the captain’s armband on the country’s return to the global finals.

Coach Eugen Apjok has made three changes to his starting XV from the side that lost 57-7 to Italy in their final warm-up fixture last month, as well as a host of positional adjustments to the back line.

Vaovasa has only made a single start in the No 10 jersey for the side before, having featured previously at centre, wing and full back. He will have Gabriel Rupanu alongside him and incredibly it is the seventh different half-back pairing for the team this year.

Apart from the half-backs, Romania have the same personnel in the backline as they did against Italy, but all will be wearing different jersey numbers.

Former Australia junior international Jason Tomane is at inside centre, with Tongan-born Tangimana Fonovai at number 13. Marius Simionescu, Nicolas Onutu and ex-Tongan Sevens player Tevita Manumua make up the back three.

The only change to the pack comes at flanker where Florian Rosu comes in for Damian Stratila. Chirica and Vlad Neculau make up the rest of the back row. Adrian Motoc and Stefan Iancu are the lock pairing, while hooker Ovidiu Cojocaru will have props Iulian Hartig and Alexandru Gordas either side of him.

Romania played in every World Cup from 1987 to 2015 but were disqualified from the last tournament in Japan for fielding an ineligible player in the qualifiers. Sione Faka’osilea featured when he had already played for Tonga and they had their hopes of appearing in Japan quashed.

Namibia opt for World Cup experience against Italy

13:07 , Luke Baker

Namibia will field eight players who played in their last World Cup game and have included a former Wallaby in their line-up to face Italy in their opening Pool A game in Saint Etienne, France on Saturday.

Richard Hardwick, who has switched international allegiance from Australia, packs down at No 8in the team which Namibia named on Wednesday, 24 hours before the scheduled announcement.

Namibia are seeking their first World Cup finals victory in their seventh successive appearance at the tournament. Coach Allister Coetzee’s bid to change that statistic relies on experience and he has kept faith with many of the side who were in Japan four years ago.

Centre Johan Deysel will captain the team. Winger JC Greyling, scrum half Damian Stevens, loose forwards Prince Gaoseb and Johan Retief, lock Tjiuee Uanivi, prop Aranos Coetzee and hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld all played in Namibia’s 71-9 defeat by New Zealand in Tokyo four years ago.

Namibia team: 15-Divan Rossouw, 14-Gerswin Mouton, 13-Johan Deysel (capt.), 12-Danco Burger, 11-JC Greyling, 10-Tiaan Swanepoel, 9-Damian Stevens, 8-Richard Hardwick, 7-Johan Retief, 6-Wian Conradie, 5-Tjiuee Uanivi, 4-Adriaan Ludick, 3-Aranos Coetzee, 2-Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1-Desiderius Sethie.

Replacements: 16-Louis van der Westhuizen, 17-Jason Benade, 18-Casper Viviers, 19-Tiaan de Klerk, 20-Prince Gaoseb, 21-Jacques Theron, 22-Andre van der Berg, 23-Le Roux Malan.

Willemse preferred to Le Roux for World Cup opener

12:58 , Luke Baker

South Africa have selected Damian Willemse at full back and opted for a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on the bench for the opening game of their Rugby World Cup defence against Scotland in Marseille on Sunday.

Willie le Roux, the long-time first-choice No 15 for the Springboks, is among the replacements with the versatile Willemse preferred against Scotland, who are likely to take the game to South Africa with ball in hand.

Wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe make up a pacey back three, and Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are a change to the centre pairing from the side that thumped New Zealand by a record 35-7 in their final warm-up game in London.

Jasper Wiese takes over at No 8 from 37-year-old Duane Vermeulen, who drops to the bench, but the rest of the pack remains the same with the only backs among the replacements scrum half Grant Williams and Le Roux.

Utility back Canan Moodie and lock Jean Kleyn were not considered for selection due to injuries.

“We believe this group of players strikes the right balance to achieve the result we need against Scotland,” coach Jacques Nienaber said. “We’ve been working hard in the last few weeks to make sure we are as prepared as possible going into this match and we are fully aware of the challenge that awaits us.”

South Africa team: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Cheslin Kolbe, 10-Manie Libbok, 9-Faf de Klerk, 8-Jasper Wiese, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6-Siya Kolisi (captain), 5-Franco Mostert, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Frans Malherbe, 2-Malcolm Marx, 1-Steven Kitshoff

Replacements: 16-Bongi Mbonambi, 17-Ox Nche, 18-Trevor Nyakane, 19-RG Snyman, 20-Marco van Staden, 21-Duane Vermeulen, 22-Grant Williams, 23-Willie le Roux.

Reuters

Johnny Sexton returns for Ireland

12:48 , Luke Baker

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will make his first competitive appearance in almost six months after being selected to start Saturday’s Rugby World Cup clash with Romania.

Fly half Sexton missed his country’s three warm-up matches through suspension, having not played since injuring a groin as Ireland clinched the Six Nations grand slam against England on March 18.

The 38-year-old, who will retire after the tournament, will partner Leinster team-mate Jamison Gibson-Park on his long-awaited comeback in Bordeaux.

Ulster’s Rob Herring will start at hooker to fill the void left by Dan Sheehan’s foot injury, with Ronan Kelleher, who sat out last month’s wins over Italy, England and Samoa amid a hamstring issue, on the bench.

Lock Joe McCarthy – the least experienced international in Ireland’s 33-man squad – will make only his second Test start, alongside vice-captain James Ryan. Wing Mack Hansen and World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier are notable absentees, although the latter is on the bench, with Keith Earls selected on the right wing, Peter O’Mahony at openside flanker and Tadhg Beirne at blindside.

France team to face New Zealand in World Cup opener

12:45 , Luke Baker

Yoram Moefana will start at centre to make up for the absence of the injured Jonathan Danty, while fly half Matthieu Jalibert will pair up with Antoine Dupont for France’s World Cup opening match against New Zealand on Friday.

Les Bleus will also have to do without prop Cyril Baille and fly half Romain Ntamack, who will miss the tournament through injury.

“We’re getting into this match with the best France team,” head coach Fabien Galthie told a news conference on Wednesday.

Les Bleus, who are gunning for a maiden World Cup title, finished their preparations with a convincing 41-17 victory against Australia.

France team: 15-Thomas Ramos, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Gael Fickou, 12-Yoram Moefana, 11-Gabin Villiere, 10-Matthieu Jalibert, 9-Antoine Dupont (cap), 8-Gregory Alldritt, 7-Charles Ollivon, 6-Francois Cros, 5-Thibaud Flament, 4-Cameron Woki, 3-Uini Atonio, 2-Julien Marchand, 1-Reda Wardi

Replacements: 16-Peato Mauvaka, 17-Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18-Dorian Aldegheri, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Paul Boudehent, 21-Maxime Lucu, 22-Arthur Vincent, 23-Melvyn Jamine

Reuters

Lienert-Brown in as All Blacks make three changes for France opener

12:38 , Luke Baker

Let’s catch you up on a couple of team announcements from yesterday, starting with New Zealand who take on France on Friday.

Anton Lienert-Brown replaced the injured Jordie Barrett at inside centre in one of three changes to the New Zealand starting side for the World Cup opener against hosts France.

Barrett has been struggling with a knee problem and did not train this week so Lienert-Brown will play his second Test of the year alongside Rieko Ioane in midfield for the blockbuster clash at Stade de France.

Codie Taylor returns at hooker after a hamstring issue and Nepo Laulala comes in at tighthead prop for Tyrel Lomax, who needed 30 stitches in a cut to his leg after the crushing loss to South Africa in New Zealand’s final warm-up.

In the back row, Dalton Papali’i, who usually plays on the openside, starts as blindside flanker with Shannon Frizell still ruled out by a hamstring issue.

New Zealand team: 15-Beauden Barrett, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Rieko Ioane, 12-Anton Lienert-Brown, 11-Mark Telea, 10-Richie Mo’unga, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Ardie Savea, 7-Sam Cane (captain), 6-Dalton Papali’i, 5-Scott Barrett, 4-Sam Whitelock, 3-Nepo Laulala, 2-Codie Taylor, 1-Ethan de Groot

Replacements: 16-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17-Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Tupou Vaa’i, 20-Luke Jacobson, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-David Havili, 23-Leicester Fainga’anuku

Reuters

Evolved South Africa side bid to retain Rugby World Cup – but one factor might prevent them

12:33 , Luke Baker

A more emphatic declaration of World Cup intent there could not have been. As the All Blacks hauled themselves off the Twickenham pitch, battered, bruised and beaten by a record margin, South Africa were already looking at what was next. A fortnight before the tournament, and four years on from a triumph that united a nation, the world champion Springboks were back in business and had their eyes fixed squarely on a World Cup prize.

The 36-7 win counted for nothing tangible in the context of the tournament to come but the message was clear.

Ireland and France may have risen to form a leading quartet of contenders but the Webb Ellis Cup will not be prized easily out of South Africa’s hands.

Back to lead them again is Siya Kolisi, having overcome a knee injury. When the South Africa captain underwent surgery in late April, the worst fears were that the flanker may miss this tournament entirely, but a quick recovery saw him able to return in Cardiff for the warm-up encounter with Wales and immediately show why he remains such a vital back row figure.

Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full team guide and preview of South Africa’s chances at the tournament:

Evolved South Africa can retain World Cup – but one factor might prevent them

England expected to pick Alex Mitchell at scrum half to face Argentina

12:32 , Luke Baker

There’ll be a slew of team announcements today, including England, who are expected to name their side to take on Argentina at around 4pm BST.

Reports suggest that Alex Mitchell will start at scrum half in the World Cup opener, a remarkable rise given that he wasn’t even in the initial squad and only received a call-up when Jack van Poortvliet was ruled out through injury. From fourth choice to first choice in a matter of days as he has apparently leapfrogged Ben Youngs and Danny Care in the pecking order.

Winger Jonny May is in a similar boat, having not been in the initial squad but called up to replace Anthony Watson and now in line for a spot in the starting XV.

Rugby World Cup 2023 live

12:26 , Luke Baker

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the build-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The tournament finally gets going tomorrow but we’ve got a day of team announcements and press conferences first.

Stick with us for all the latest.