France vs Italy RWC 2015: What time does it start and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the Pool D clash at Twickenham Stadium

Jack de Menezes

Saturday 19 September 2015 13:40 BST

France fly-half Frederic Michalak (Getty Images)

It's a big game for…

Frederic Michalak: The fly-half is shaping up for his third World Cup, but the questions over his consistency and temperament remain. He beat off competition from Francois Trinh-Duc to make the 31-man cut, and has been given the reins for the opening match against Italy.

Despite having three European winners’ medals to his name in the last three years, the 32-year-old has never convinced that he is the world beater that he once promised. That said, he retains the skill and ability to unlock any defence. The question is can he do it against the biggest teams in Pool D?

Teams…

France: Scott Spedding; Yoann Huget, Mathieu Bastareaud, Alexandre Dumoulin, Noa Nakaitaci; Frederic Michalak, Sebastien Tillous-Borde; Eddy Ben Arous, Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani; Pascal Pape, Yoann Maestri; Thierry Dusautoir, Damien Chouly, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Bernard Le Roux, Alexandre Flanquart, Morgan Parra, Remi Tales, Gael Fickou.

Italy: Luke McLean; Leonardo Sarto, Michele Campagnaro, Andrea Masi, Giovanbattista Venditti; Tommaso Allan, Edoardo Gori; Matias Aguero, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Martin Castrogiovanni; Quintin Geldenhays, Josh Furno; Alessandro Zanni, Francesco Minto, Samuel Vunisa.

Replacements: Andrea Manici, Michele Rizzo, Lorenzo Cittadini, Valerio Bernabo, Simone Favaro, Guglielmo Palazzani, Carlo Canna, Enrico Bacchin.

10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

Show all 10

1/1010 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

1. Jonny May, England

May came and went from the international stage as fast as he finishes tries, but a strong end to the season with Gloucester set him up to star in England’s World Cup training camp and beat Chris Ashton and Marland Yarde to selection. His double against Ireland in the final warm-up match marks him out as England’s go-to finisher.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

2. Robbie Henshaw, Ireland

Henshaw announced his arrival on the international stage with the match-winning try over England in this year’s Six Nations, and the Ulster centre is a key reason why the Irish haven’t felt the loss of Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll. Henshaw is a powerful runner who is also blessed with lovely passing ability and can unlock an opposing defence.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

3. Finn Russell, Scotland

The Scottish fly-half position remains one of uncertainty but, in Russell, Vern Cotter has a No 10 that has the attacking awareness to get Scotland among the tries. After their reliance on the points machine that was Chris Paterson, Russell could be the man to show they still play running rugby north of the border.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

4. Liam Williams, Wales

Leigh Halfpenny’s absence could, somehow, be a blessing in disguise if Williams makes the full-back berth his own. The 24-year-old Scarlets flyer found himself on the wing in the Six Nations, but now back in his favoured position and with a desire to run from just about anywhere, Williams could be one of the success stories of the autumn.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

5. Nehe Milner-Skudder, New Zealand

Many on these shores will not know who the Hurricanes wing is, but his rise from Super Rugby to the All Blacks superstar has been rapid. Equally adept at playing at full-back, Milner-Skudder has been tipped to take the tournament’s top scorer crown, and his two tries against Australia on debut suggest he’ll certainly be in the mix.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

6. Scott Sio, Australia

A dominant Australian loose-head prop? Never! That would have been the answer until this year’s Rugby Championship, when Sio not only strengthened the Wallabies pack but took the fight to the New Zealand eight and then some.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

7. Damian de Allende, South Africa

De Allende looks set to feature alongside captain Jean de Villiers in the Springbok centre, and he might just be one of those that lights up the World Cup. His lack of experience is countered by his ability to break the line and, with pace enough for a wing, just watch him go when he breaks free.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

8. Pablo Matera, Argentina

If Argentina harbour any hopes of beating New Zealand to top spot in Pool C, they’re going to need to stand firm and concede as few tries as possible. In Matera, they hold a tackling machine who can chop down most of those in his way.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

9. Ben Volavola, Fiji

The Fijian fly-half caught the eye of New Zealand heavyweights Crusaders in the Super 15, leading to a move to the Land of the Long White Cloud that has put him in good stead to start for Fiji at Twickenham tomorrow. Keep an eye out for him trying to prove a point to his former coach at the Waratahs, Michael Cheika, when Fiji meet Australia.

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10 emerging players to watch at the Rugby World Cup

10. Gael Fickou, France

The young France centre will be a memorable name for English fans following his match-winning try in their 2014 Six Nations match. Despite making his mark that day, the 21-year-old Toulouse back is yet to tie down a regular place in Les Bleus’ starting XV, but why not choose England 2015 to help France go one better than 2011’s final defeat?

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Best stat…

2: In 36 meetings between the two sides, Italy have won just two of them. However, both of those victories have come in the past four years, and with Italy’s victories coming in 2011 and 2013 in the Six Nations, they’re due another win to keep the two-year trend alive.

Remember when…

Just months before the 2011 World Cup where France would go on to reach the final, an Italy side led by the inspirational Sergio Parisse recorded the first ever Italian victory over an experienced Les Blues side in the caldron that is the Stadio Flaminio. The incredible scenes at the full time whistle included grown men crying, a jubilant Nick Mallett running on to the pitch and a disconsolate French side wondering what had happened.

Player to watch…

Noa Nakaitaci: The Clermont Auvergne wing has certainly made his impact felt in the Top 14, but he also starred in the French side that cost England the Six Nations title at Twickenham earlier this season. A big time player who, when given a yard of space, can use his sheer pace and extraordinary power to burst through opposition defences.

Past three meetings…

Italy 0 France 29 (Maestri, Bastareaud), Six Nations, March 2015.

France 30 (Picamoles, Fofana, Bonneval) Italy 10 (Iannone), Six Nations, February 2014.

Italy 23 (Parisse, Castrogiovanni) France 18 (Picamoles, Fall), Six Nations, February 2013.

Form guide…

France: WLLWW

Italy: LLLLL

Vital information...

Kick-off time: 8pm

TV: Live on ITV, highlights on ITV4.

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