Rugby fixtures

France face New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup 2023 opener. It will be the eighth time the sides meet at the tournament - and we can expect fireworks.

[South Africa defeated then-holders England 15-9 in the final](https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-world-cup/flashback-the-2007-rugby-world-cup-final-105596), but this was just part of the story. The sixth instalment of the Rugby World Cup was hosted by France, with four games played in Wales and two in Scotland. [Ian Foster as head coach of the national side](https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/new-zealand-countries/who-is-ian-foster-ten-things-you-should-know-about-the-all-blacks-coach-131834) remains in doubt with Crusaders linchpin Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson waiting in the wings and the All Blacks will be striving to perform much better than their quarter-final exit in the 2007 edition of the tournament, the last time it was staged in France. [We re-did the World Cup Pools draw with the current world rankings](https://www.rugbyworld.com/news/how-would-the-rugby-world-cup-pools-look-based-on-todays-rankings-150486) [securing a Grand Slam in the 2022 Six Nations](https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-six-nations/france-win-the-grand-slam-139885) along the way. [Rugby World Cup 2023](https://www.rugbyworld.com/rugby-fixtures/rugby-world-cup-fixtures-2023), fans’ eyes will be glued to what has become one of the most enticing fixtures in world rugby.