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☆ Ardie Savea named best rugby player of the year
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Final - New Zealand v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 28, 2023 New Zealand's Ardie Savea in action with South Africa's Jean Kleyn REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand loose forward Ardie Savea was named World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year on Sunday, despite ending up on the losing side in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final. Savea was chosen ahead of Irish centre Bundee Aki, South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth and France captain Antoine Dupont, who won the award two years ago. Savea is the 11th All Black to win the award, which was first introduced in 2001. His award comes after a stellar season in which he helped New Zealand to win the Rugby Championship and a place in the World Cup final, which they lost 12-11 to the Springboks on Saturday. Ireland’s Andy Farrell was chosen as World Rugby Coach of the Year while All Blacks winger Mark Tele'a won the award for Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Persons: Denis, Africa's Jean Kleyn REUTERS, Sarah Meyssonnier, Savea, Bundee Aki, Eben Etzebeth, Antoine Dupont, Black, Ireland’s Andy Farrell, Mark Tele'a, Mark Gleeson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, Africa's, Rights, Saturday’s Rugby, New Zealand, Rugby Championship, Springboks, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Saturday’s, New

☆ Fittingly fraught finale for fantastic World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

World Rugby addressed that with a major overhaul of the calendar they described as "the most significant development in the sport since the game went professional" but those long-suffering countries are going to have to suffer for a few years yet before they start to feel the benefits. Elsewhere, England overcame a terrible build-up to win all their pool games and Fiji shocked Australia to go through alongside Wales. FABULOUS BRANDFiji's final pool game against Portugal was one of the best seen at a World Cup, with the Portuguese playing a fabulous brand of all-court rugby reminiscent of France at their pomp. Amid emotional scenes and roared on by neutrals the world over, they secured their first-ever World Cup victory in the last minute, with Fiji scraping through via their losing bonus point. Wales will forever rue their missed chances in the first of them against Argentina before Ireland and New Zealand produced an absolute classic.

Persons: Denis, Mbonambi, Webb Ellis, Sarah Meyssonnier, agonising, England's, Owen Farrell's, Antoine Dupont, Handre, Sam Cane, Mitch Phillips, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, Rights, Two Nations, New Zealand, Ireland, South, Fiji, Wales, Portugal, Argentina, England, Pumas, Springboks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Portugal, England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Portuguese, Fiji, Marseille, Paris, New Zealand, Argentina, New

☆ France coach Galthie has no regrets, Dupont slams referee
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"For four years, we wrote a beautiful picture for French rugby, the players can be proud, coaches can be proud." "This doesn't take anything away from the South Africans, who beat us in the fight tonight, they played really well." Galthie, who is contracted until after the next World Cup in 2027, said he would continue as coach. "There is a French team that will continue to play, they will soon be playing the first match of the Six Nations in Marseille," he said. "What we've been through at this tournament is another chapter in the story of the French team."

Persons: Fabien Galthie, Galthie's, Antoine Dupont, scrumhalf, Ben O'Keeffe, Dupont, I'm, Eben Etzebeth's, Galthie, Nick Mulvenney, Ken Ferris Organizations: Springboks, rugby, Namibia, Six Nations, Thomson Locations: France, New Zealand, Africa, South Africa, French, Marseille

☆ Ruthless South Africa extinguish French fire to reach last four
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We had good opportunities but unfortunately we couldn't convert them into points," France manager Raphael Ibanez said. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said the bench was critical. Jonathan Danty was held up and Arendse dived over for South Africa after collecting a fortunate bounce from a speculative kick. With barely time to breathe, South Africa regained control when Kolbe outpaced Damian Penaud with astonishing ease to collect Jesse Kriel's kick and score. Pollard added another penalty before Ramos brought France back within a point, but South Africa defended brilliantly to keep out a late French onslaught.

Persons: France's, Fabien Galthie, Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Mannie, Handre Pollard, Antoine Dupont, scrumhalf, Les Bleus, Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Thomas Ramos, Raphael Ibanez, Siya Kolisi, Jacques Nienaber's, Dupont, Baille, Jonathan Danty, Arendse, De Allende, Mauvaka, Kolbe, Damian Penaud, Jesse Kriel's, maul, Ramos, Atonio, Nienaber, Etzebeth, Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ed Osmond Organizations: France, Galthie Springboks, Springboks, England, Kurt, Mauvaka, South, Thomson Locations: Africa, France, England, PARIS, South Africa, South

It's the current holders against the hosts (and favorites), and we can show you how to watch the South Africa vs. France live stream for free, wherever you are in the world. We're hoping for something similar to last night's exciting game, but find out for yourself and see how to watch a free South Africa vs. France live stream below. Where to watch South Africa vs. France Rugby World Cup live streams free from anywhereYou can catch all of the Rugby World Cup action, including South Africa vs. France, using the free ITVX live stream in the United Kingdom, which is offering up every match of this year's Rugby World Cup. How to watch South Africa vs. France with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one. Rugby World Cup scheduleBelow is a full schedule of upcoming Rugby World Cup games that will run through the October 28 final.

Persons: Antoine Dupont, We're, we've, ExpressVPN, You'll Organizations: Stade de France, Six Nations, New Zealand, All Blacks, Ireland, Rugby, France Rugby, ITV, USA NBC, CNBC, Zealand Locations: Africa, France, French, Namibia, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, UK, USA, United States, England, ITVX, Argentina

☆ France expect another brutal clash against South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - South Africa have based their domination on a powerful and skilful pack and France expect to face just that when they meet the holders in the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday. The Stade de France clash comes 11 months after France earned a 30-26 win in Paris in a brutal affair that saw Pieter Du Toit and Antoine Dupont red carded. About two thirds of that victorious France team should start on Sunday so they know what to expect. They (South Africa) are physical and they're well known for that. Lock Thibaut Flament was replaced early on last November but he had a taste of the South Africa pack.

Persons: Pieter Du Toit, Antoine Dupont, Reda Wardi, Lock Thibaut, We're, Laurent Labit, they've, Emile Ntamack, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Stade de France, France, Springboks, Ireland, RMC Sport, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, Paris

☆ Springboks delay naming team as they ponder bench options
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Springboks have been regimented in naming their team four days before a test, but director of rugby Rassie Erasmus says there are still deliberations over whether to go with a 5-3, 6-2 or 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench. In some cases we are not even sure who is the best," Erasmus told reporters on Tuesday. "We are keeping our options open for a 7-1, 6-2 or 5-3 (bench split) with both Handre and Manie being available. I think having everybody fit and seeing what the French team looks like may influence us going 7-1 or 6-2." "I have been in World Rugby meetings where we break into little groups and he's a very interesting character with the way he looks at the game," Erasmus said.

Persons: Rassie Erasmus, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo, Erasmus, Antoine Dupont, Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell, Nick Said, Toby Davis Organizations: France, Springboks, Namibia, Rugby, Rugby League, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Paris, France, Ireland

☆ Namibia chase elusive first World Cup win against Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool A - France v Namibia - Orange Velodrome, Marseille, France - September 21, 2023 Namibia's Johan Deysel looks on after being sent off REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 25 (Reuters) - Namibia have made seven changes to their starting line-up for their final Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Uruguay in Lyon on Wednesday, one of which has been forced through the absence of captain Johan Deysel. Coach Allister Coetzee has long targeted this fixture as the one to break his team’s unwanted record run of 25 consecutive losses in the World Cup since they made their debut in 1999. "The players know what a win means for the country, it can change a lot. Prop Johan Coetzee and wing Gerswin Mouton are therefore the only players to have started all four matches in France. Namibia lost 26-18 to Uruguay in Montevideo last month and Coetzee believes that elusive World Cup win is there for the taking.

Persons: Namibia's Johan Deysel, Peter Cziborra, Johan Deysel, Coach Allister Coetzee, Coetzee, Antoine Dupont, I’ve, He’s, Johan Coetzee, Gerswin Mouton, Alcino Izaacs, Danco Burger, Andre van den Berg, Tiaan Swanepoel, Damian Stevens, Richard Hardwick, Prince Gaoseb, Uanivi, They’ve, it’s, Jason Benade, Torsten Van Jaarsveld, Adriaan Ludick, Tiaan De Klerk, JC Greyling, Burger, Cliven, Louis van der, Desiderius Sethie, Haitembu Shifuka, PJ Van Lill, Max Katjijeko, Adriaan Booysen, Jacques Theron, Andre van der, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, REUTERS, Uruguay, Gerswin, Former Australia, Thomson Locations: France, Namibia, Orange, Marseille, Lyon, Deysel, flyhalf, scrumhalf, Uruguay, Montevideo, Andre van der Bergh

☆ Dupont underwent surgery on facial injury, will return to squad: FFR
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - France captain Antoine Dupont has undergone surgery on a facial injury and will return to his Rugby World Cup squad to recover, the French federation (FFR) said on Saturday, though it gave no timeline for when the scrumhalf might return to the field. "Following his injury sustained during the France-Namibia match, Antoine Dupont underwent surgery at Toulouse's CHU Purpan on 22 September at around 11 p.m.," the federation said in a statement. "In a few days' time, he will be able to return to the French team as part of a gradual sporting recovery under medical supervision." The FFR did not say when Dupont would be able to play again. France, who are already without flyhalf Romain Ntamack at the World Cup due to injury, next face Italy on Oct. 6.

Persons: Antoine Dupont, Johan Deysel, Dupont, flyhalf Romain Ntamack, Julien Pretot, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rugby World, Namibia, Thomson Locations: France, Thursday's, Namibia, Italy

☆ Namibia's Deysel apologises to Dupont for dangerous tackle
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Dupont suffered the injury in the 46th minute and was forced off the field at the Stade de Marseille on Thursday after a clash of heads in a clumsy tackle. Deysel, whose initial yellow card was quickly upgraded to a red on bunker review, said the collision was accidental. "I would like to extend my best wishes to Antoine Dupont," he told reporters. In relation to Deysel's abuse, World Rugby said on Friday that they would "support Namibia in any way possible to stamp out online hate." At the time, World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said: "Rugby is a sport for everyone and we take our responsibility very seriously to make the sport as inclusive, accessible and relevant as possible.

Persons: Namibia's Johan Deysel, Peter Cziborra, Johan Deysel, Antoine Dupont, Dupont, Deysel, Fabien Galthie, Antoine, Deysel's, Alan Gilpin, Hritika Sharma, Nick Said, Mitch Phillips, Gerry Doyle, Ken Ferris Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, REUTERS, Rights, France, Rugby World, Stade de Marseille, Namibia, French Rugby Federation, Italy, Ireland, South, World Rugby, Thomson Locations: France, Namibia, Orange, Marseille, Rights MARSEILLE, South Africa, Uruguay, Hyderabad

☆ Very few positives for France after reserves struggle against Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Lock Cameron Woki, a starter in both the New Zealand and Uruguay games, labelled the lack of discipline, which was patent in the scrums, as 'unacceptable' after France had conceded only four penalties against the All Blacks. We started off with a disciplined performance that enabled us to win the match against New Zealand," said Galthie. A World Cup is a long-term adventure, each match is a test and group life is very important," he said. "A match like this strengthens the squad, making it better and stronger for the match (against Namibia) in Marseille in a week." Only hooker Julien Marchand, who sustained a thigh injury in the 27-13 win against New Zealand, is not available.

Persons: Fabien Galthie, Pierre Mauroy, Bleus, Melvyn Jaminet, Lock Cameron Woki, you've, Galthie, Scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon, haven't, There's Anthony, Jelonch, Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Uruguay, Rugby, New Zealand, New, France, All Blacks, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Thomson Locations: France, New Zealand, Uruguay, Namibia, Marseille, Lyon

☆ Jelonch back as France ring the changes to face Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LILLE, France, Sept 12 (Reuters) - France head coach Fabien Galthie made 12 changes to the team who beat New Zealand in the World Cup curtain raiser as Anthony Jelonch is making a long-awaited comeback to face Uruguay in Lille on Thursday. "He needed a lot of willpower, a lot of fighting spirit to be here with us," Galthie told a press conference on Tuesday. Jelonch, who underwent surgery in March and will captain the team on Thursday, said he went through periods of 'doubt'. From the team who started at the Stade de France, only lock Cameron Woki, centre Yoram Moefana and winger Gabin Villiere will be on the Pierre Mauroy stadium field at kickoff. "They're a South American team who are going to fight with a lot of aggressiveness and a lot of energy," said Galthie.

Persons: Fabien Galthie, Anthony Jelonch, Les Bleus, Galthie, Jelonch, I'd, Paul Boudehent, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Antoine Dupont, Antoine Hastoy, Matthieu Jalibert, Melvyn Jaminet, France's, Louis Bielle, Cameron Woki, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere, Pierre Mauroy, Paul Bourgarit, Jean, Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, William Servat, Lock Bastien Chalureau, Italy, Les, Arthur Vincent, Romain Taofifenua, Pierre Bourgarit, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Bastien Chalureau, Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Baptiste Couilloud, Thomas Ramos, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: LILLE, New Zealand, All Blacks, Six Nations, Stade de France, Namibia, France, Fiji, South, Thomson Locations: France, Uruguay, Lille, scrumhalf, flyhalf, A, Marseille, Lyon, South American

☆ France see flaws in their performance despite New Zealand World Cup win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Coach Fabien Galthie and his assistants were satisfied with the win against an All Blacks side, who were previously unbeaten in all 31 of their previous World Cup pool games, but they were quick to point out the team's shortcomings in defence. France missed 21 tackles in the first half and assistant coach Laurent Labit was not so happy with Penaud's performance in that area. France, who are assisted by former referee Jerome Garces, who held the whistle in the 2019 World Cup final, produced a disciplined display. Despite their flaws, Les Bleus still crushed the All Blacks to underline their might. "When you look at it it's incredible to score almost 30 points against them," said captain Antoine Dupont.

Persons: Denis, France's Maxime Lucu, Damian Penaud, Cameron Woki, Stephanie Lecocq, Webb Ellis, Les Bleus, Melvyn Jaminet, Fabien Galthie, Laurent Labit, Damian, Labit, Penaud, Jerome Garces, Antoine Dupont, Julien Marchand, Julien Pretot, Mike Harrison Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, New Zealand, Stade de France, Saint, Rights, All Blacks, France, Blacks, South, Ireland, Thomson Locations: France, New, Uruguay, Namibia, Italy, South Africa, Lille

☆ Battle of best nines past and present in World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Jasper Shine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dupont, 26, enters his second World Cup as captain of an expectant host nation and widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, certainly pre-eminent among test halfbacks. This game is not about me against him, it is about me doing my role for the team." Smith conceded that New Zealand, like all teams, would have special plans to defuse the threat of the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year's fearless running. According to statistics published in the Times, since the 2019 World Cup Dupont has had 9.5 carries and made an average of 44 metres per 80 minutes. "They're the most beautiful team to watch, a team that generations and generations have dreamed of," he told reporters on Wednesday.

Persons: scrumhalves Antoine Dupont, Aaron Smith, Dupont, Smith, Antoine Dupont, he's, " Smith, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis Organizations: New, Times, Blacks, Zealand, Thomson Locations: France, New Zealand, Japan, Zealand, Zealanders

☆ Rugby World Cup 2023: How to watch, teams and star players
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The Stade de France will host this year's Rugby World Cup final. A full list of international broadcasters is available here on the Rugby World Cup website. A total of 20 teams have qualified for this year’s Rugby World Cup and they will compete in four pools of five teams each. “It’s probably the most open Rugby World Cup we’ve seen for a long time,” former England international Ugo Monye told CNN Sport. Antoine Dupont will be a key player for France at this year's Rugby World Cup.

Persons: Etienne, David Rogers, Stan, Clive Mason, Webb Ellis, “ It’s, Ugo Monye, you’ve, Romain Ntamack, Paul Willemse, Cyril Baille, Jonathan Danty, ”, haven’t, – let’s, Stuart Hogg, I’ve, ’, Antoine Dupont, Ntamack, Fabien Galthié, Damian Penaud, Alldritt, Richard Heathcote, – Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick –, Sam Kane, Dane Coles, Handré Pollard, Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole, Johnny Sexton, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van, Owen Farrell, Finn Russell, Hogg, “, ” Russell isn’t, Levani Organizations: CNN, Rugby World, New Zealand, Stade de France, Rugby, Paris, Games, Getty, Blacks, Stade de Marseille, NBC, Stan Sport, ITV, S4C, South, CNN Fiji, England, –, USA, Africa, Africa Ireland Scotland Tonga, C Wales Australia Fiji, Japan, Japan Argentina Samoa Chile Who, – New, CNN Sport, New, Wales, Australia, Ireland, “, Scotland, Tonga’s, France, Blacks ’, Fiji, The Pacific Islanders Locations: France, New, Paris, South Africa, Ireland, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Saint, Toulouse, United States, Australia, Sky, New Zealand, England, Argentina, Wales, Scotland, Italy, Georgia, Japan, Tonga, Samoa, Uruguay, Namibia, Romania, Portugal, Chile, Zealand France Italy Uruguay Namibia, Africa Ireland, Africa Ireland Scotland Tonga Romania, C Wales Australia Fiji Georgia Portugal, Japan Argentina Samoa Chile, – New Zealand, Fiji, darting, Zealand

☆ France assess flyhalf options in the absence of Ntamack
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - France's World Cup prospects have suffered with the injury to flyhalf Romain Ntamack but coach Fabien Galthie has several options to replace him, including Matthieu Jalibert, in-form Antoine Hastoy or even a switch from fullback for Thomas Ramos. It is a combination capable of devastating effectiveness, at eye-jolting pace and with a Gallic flamboyance, and the fact that France cannot use Ntamack will weigh heavily on the rest of their World Cup preparations. He won the European Champions Cup with La Rochelle this year but has won only three caps for France and played a total of 96 minutes of test rugby. France name their World Cup squad next Monday. Reporting by Mark Gleeson and Nick Said, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: flyhalf Romain Ntamack, Fabien Galthie, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Hastoy, Thomas Ramos, Ntamack, scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, Galthie, Jalibert, Ramos, Allan Alaalatoa, Achilles, Mark Gleeson, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: France, New Zealand, Toulouse, Nations, Scotland, European, La Rochelle, South Africa, Argentina, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Ntamack, Hastoy

☆ France still on track for home World Cup despite losing Six Nations title
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, March 19 (Reuters) - France surrendered their Six Nations title on Saturday but over the last four years they have rediscovered their brilliance and less than six months before hosting the World Cup Les Bleus know they have a credible shot at claiming the crown. "We started the tournament in unremarkable fashion," said Galthie as he drew his conclusions on his fourth Six Nations in charge of France. "We're the best attack of the tournament," said Galthie, whose team have not finished below second place in the Six Nations in four editions. I don't know if we're the team to beat (for the World Cup), but I certainly hope that the other teams fear us." "We gave Wales a couple of soft tries so we need to be more consistent and more rigorous for 80 minutes."

☆ This Y Combinator-backed startup wants to help scale the nascent insect protein sector. Check out the 15-slide pitch deck Entocycle used to raise $5 million.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Insect protein could displace 20% of the UK's annual soy imports for animal feed by 2050. We got an exclusive look at the 15-slide deck Entocycle used to raise the Series A round. A Y Combinator-backed startup that has developed insect farming technology to help scale the nascent sector has just nabbed $5 million from European climate tech fund Climentum Capital. Insect protein has long been tipped as a way to alleviate pressure on the food system amid a growing population that is also grappling with climate change. Global insect protein startups raised just $146 million in venture capital in 2022, compared with $200 million the year prior, according to PitchBook.

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