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☆ Bruised Ireland reflect on end of an era
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Ossian Shine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"You have a group of senior players who are moving on," he added, standing barefoot, still in full Irish kit. "There’s a group of guys who won't play for Ireland again who have had an incredible impact on Irish rugby, not only in the last few years but the last decade." "It's tough," O'Mahony said. "This is the best group I've ever been part of and these lads will go on to great things," he told reporters, tears glistening in his eyes. No doubt this team will have left Irish rugby in a better place.

Persons: –, Peter O'Mahony pensively, Johnny Sexton, Winger Keith Earls, O'Mahony, I've, Johnny, fellas, Sexton, …, he'll, " O'Mahony, We've, Jasper Shine, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, New Zealand, Stade de France, Ireland, Irish, Nations, British & Irish Lions, Leinster, Thomson Locations: Ireland, Paris, New

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

☆ Tight margins made the difference for Springboks in win over France
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We knew it was going to be this tight. South Africa’s replacements outmuscled the tiring French and after Etzebeth’s try they went ahead and held on in the end to extinguish home hopes. “I must give credit to the guys that came off the bench, they came and made a huge difference,” added captain Siya Kolisi. In the knockout rounds anything can happen, there are going to be small margins right to the end," added Nienaber. And Mbonambi warned that South Africa’s defence of the title was not yet complete.

Persons: Jacques Nienaber, Eben Etzebeth, they’ve, Nienaber, Etzebeth’s, “, ”, Siya Kolisi, Mbonambi, “ We’ve, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: France, South Africa, England, Stade de France, Springboks, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, Paris

☆ Past irrelevant for Irish in NZ quarter-final, says Farrell
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | 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: +3 min

"What's happened in the past is irrelevant, we're just trying to get better every week and so are they." "I don't think we're carrying much baggage, it's a one-off game and we've got to prepare for it." Farrell was able to name an unchanged starting team for the game with Mack Hansen and James Lowe both passed fit to play. Farrell said Ryan would probably be available for the semi-finals if Ireland managed to get past New Zealand. "That's what we're preparing for, the toughest game we've ever faced, and that we're going to be ready for it."

Persons: Andy Farrell, Farrell, we're, Johnny Sexton, we've, Mack Hansen, James Lowe, Hansen, Lowe, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Jimmy O'Brien, Stuart McCloskey, Ryan, you've, We've, they've, Sexton, flyhalf, Hugo Keenan, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson, Doris, Josh van, Peter O'Mahony, Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, David Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy O’Brien, Nick Mulvenney, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Stade de France, & Irish Lions, All Blacks, Blacks, Lions, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Ireland

☆ Alldritt warns France need to increase intensity in World Cup quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - France will need to increase their intensity to match the physical challenge posed by South Africa in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, eighthman Gregory Alldritt said on Wednesday. It's up to us to put in more intensity than usual for 80 minutes," Alldritt told a press conference. "As we saw in Marseille last year they're a team that stays in the game for 80 minutes. One of the key battle in the game will be that between the loose forwards and Alldritt praised the opposing trio. "I think they're a reflection of the team, a back row that gives a lot in defence and attack for 80 minutes.

Persons: eighthman Gregory Alldritt, Alldritt, they're, We've, I'm, We're, we're, it'll, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Sunday's Rugby, Stade de France, Springboks, South, Thomson Locations: France, South Africa, Marseille, Paris

☆ 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

☆ All Blacks report clean bill of health going into Italy match
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LYON, France, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The four players on the injury list before the All Blacks headed off to southwest France for the bye week, including skipper Sam Cane, are available for selection for Friday's match against Italy, assistant coach Jason Ryan said on Tuesday. Openside flanker Cane was named to start the tournament opening loss to hosts France at Stade de France but was withdrawn shortly before the match kicked off with a back problem. Frizell, who started at blindside flanker throughout New Zealand's Rugby Championship triumph, has been struggling with a hamstring problem, forcing Foster to tinker with his back row. New Zealand will be without loosehead prop Ethan de Groot for the match in Lyon as he serves the first match in a two-game ban for a dangerous tackle in New Zealand's 71-3 win over Namibia. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sam Cane, Jason Ryan, Ian Foster, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax, Jordie Barrett, Cane, Foster, tinker, Tighthead Lomax, Barrett, Ethan de Groot, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis Organizations: Blacks, Italy, France, Stade de France, blindside, New Zealand's Rugby, Namibia, Thomson Locations: LYON, France, South Africa, London, Namibia, New Zealand, Lyon, New

☆ Ireland come out on top of bruising clash with South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Top-ranked Ireland claimed a 13-8 statement victory over defending champions South Africa in a high-octane heavyweight World Cup clash that lived up to the hype at a sweltering Stade de France on Saturday. Scotland and Tonga, who both lost their opening game in Pool B, face each other in Nice on Sunday. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi hailed his team's performance despite the loss. South Africa came into the contest with a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench and Ireland boldly looked to keep the ball in play as much as possible, going for the corner instead of kicking early penalties. South Africa got onto the scoreboard first in a brutal start with a Libbok penalty as huge tackles and collisions drew oohs and aahs from the 78,542 crowd.

Persons: Andy Farrell's, Mack Hansen, Johnny Sexton, Jack Crowley, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie, Klerk, Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Hugo Keenan ghosted, Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Hansen, James Lowe, Kolbe darted, Libbok, Crawley, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ireland, South, Stade de France, Springboks, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Tonga, Nice, Africa, Ireland, France

☆ Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid: Soccer’s never-ending transfer saga
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

This, of course, is Kylian Mbappé’s much discussed, potential move from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Real Madrid. The first time Real Madrid came calling for the boy from Bondy was when the forward was just 13 years old. Zinedine Zidane watches on as Mbappé plays against his Real Madrid team in 2019. I mean, that tells you the story through that.”Jude Bellingham (C) and Vinícius Júnior (R) are leading the next generation of Real Madrid stars. “The biggest failure for me would be that Real Madrid didn’t have a plan B if the Mbappé signing didn’t happen,” he adds.

Persons: Germain, Mbappé, Zinedine Zidane, ” Mbappé, ‘ Zidane, ’ ”, Anthony Dibon, Blancos, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, France’s, “, ”, ” France's, Francois Mori, Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff, it’s, Krasnoff, Bleus, –, de Cordée, Anne, Christine Poujoulat, ” Nabil Larbi, Billie Jean King’s, undesirables ’, PSG President Nasser Al, Kirill Kudryavtsev, David Beckham, Ronaldo Nazário, Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Florentino Pérez, Álvaro Romeo, Vinícius Jr, Jude Bellingham –, Dani Carvajal, I’m, ” Carvajal, ” Romeo, Romeo, he’s, ” Jude Bellingham, Vinícius, Jorge Guerrero, Merengues, Real, they’ve, Karim Benzema, Joselu Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, PSG, AS Monaco, Real Madrid, Real, Players ’ Tribune, French national, League, The New York Times, Getty, CNN Sport, peerless, Fifth, Stade de France, Stade France, French, PSG President, City, Spain Real Madrid, Madrid Locations: Paris, Real Madrid, Madrid, Bondy, Spain, France, Fifth Republic, Republic, AFP, Greater Paris, Mbappé, Cameroon, Algeria, Bondy’s, Japan, City of, Spanish, Real, Saudi Arabian, Ittihad

☆ Key Springboks hooker Marx under injury cloud
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 14 (Reuters) - South Africa face a potentially huge blow to their bid to retain the Rugby World Cup after hooker Malcolm Marx was sent for scans for an undisclosed injury picked up in training on Wednesday. Team officials did not elaborate on Marx’s issue but said an update on his fitness would be provided in the coming days. South Africa do not have a third specialist hooker in the squad, with regular loose forwards Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden nominated cover. Fourie will be on the bench against Romania with Mbonambi starting the game. Marx is the second key player under an injury cloud for South Africa after lock Eben Etzebeth left last weekend’s 18-3 victory over Scotland due to a shoulder issue.

Persons: Malcolm Marx, Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Deon Fourie, Marco van Staden, Joseph Dweba, Eben Etzebeth, Rassie Erasmus, Etzebeth, Nick Said, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rugby, Romania, Springboks, Team, Mbonambi, Stade de France, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France

☆ Australia's Tupou suffers hamstring strain ahead of Fiji clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | 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: +1 min

Nicknamed the Tongan Thor, tighthead Tupou has been one of Australia's best performers this season and had a major impact on the 35-15 Pool C win over Georgia last weekend. Zane Nonggorr replaced Tupou for the last 10 minutes of the Georgia match in his fourth test and the other tighthead in the squad, Pone Faamausili, has also been struggling with a calf problem. Australian media reports said coach Eddie Jones was considering switching the experienced and versatile loosehead prop James Slipper to the other side of the front row for the Fiji match. The Wallabies, who snapped a five-match losing streak against the Georgians, could all but secure a spot in the quarter-finals with a win on Sunday. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis, Taniela Tupou, Stephanie Lecocq, Tongan Thor, tighthead Tupou, Zane Nonggorr, Tupou, Pone Faamausili, Eddie Jones, James Slipper, Jason Ryles, Nick Mulvenney, Ken Ferris Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Georgia, Stade de France, Saint, Fiji, Sunday, Wallabies, Georgians, Thomson Locations: Australia, France, ETIENNE, Saint Etienne, Tongan, Georgia

☆ 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

☆ All Blacks want more ball-in-play at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | 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

"Certainly, we want to get into a fast-paced game that suits us the style that we love to play. I think it was 44 minutes during one of the (Bledisloe Cup games against Australia), so it's big difference." "At the weekend the ball was like soap so there's probably more kicking involved in that strategy," he added. The veteran hooker, though, warned that the All Blacks might have to accept that they would not get more than 40 minutes of ball-in-play at this World Cup, nor be able to rely on their opposition fading through fatigue. "At the World Cup, people turn up on the day and that pressure and that intent can do funny things to you," he said.

Persons: Denis, Stephanie Lecocq, Jordie Barrett, Greg Feek, Feek, Dane Coles, Coles, Ethan de Groot, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, New Zealand, Stade de France, Saint, Haka, Rights, Blacks, Namibia, Australia, World Rugby, France, Thomson Locations: France, New, Rights LYON, Toulouse, Paris

☆ 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

☆ Donaldson shines as Australia down Georgia to snap losing streak
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | 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: +3 min

Donaldson, a surprise selection brought into the side primarily for his place-kicking, added 15 points from the tee with three penalties and three conversions. "There is a real feeling this team could do something," Eddie Jones said after the first victory of his second reign as Australia coach. "We've got a young team, it's a great learning experience for them. Georgia never looked like adding another top tier victim to their tally after wins over Italy and Wales in the last 13 months but battled to the bitter end and scored tries through Luka Ivanishvili and Beka Gigashvili. Australia head south for their second Pool C match in St Etienne on Sunday against a dangerous Fiji side who recently beat England.

Persons: Australia's Ben Donaldson, Livewire, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Donaldson, Eddie Jones, We've, it's, Luka, Nawaqanitawase, Mirian Modebadze, flyhalf Luka Matkava, Davit Niniashvili, Taniela Tupou, flyhalf Carter Gordon, Akaki Tabutsadze, Gigashvili, Levan Maisashvili, Nick Mulvenney, Hugh Lawson, Ed Osmond Organizations: Georgia, Wallabies, Stade de France, Luka Ivanishvili, Blacks, Australia, Petaia, Georgians, flyhalf, Australians, Portugal, Sunday, England, Thomson Locations: Australia, Georgia, Italy, Wales, St Etienne, Fiji

☆ Hosts France win opening game of 2023 Rugby World Cup, beating fellow favorites New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Hosts France won the opening game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, beating fellow tournament favorites New Zealand 27-13 on Friday. Stephanie Lecocq/ReutersA late showFrom hours before kick off, it was obvious there was a Rugby World Cup in town in Paris. New Zealand players perform the Haka in front of the France players before their match at the Rugby World Cup. France made the man advantage count, Ramos scoring his fourth penalty of the game from close range to extend the lead to six points. And try as it might to push for a route back into the game, Ramos’ fifth penalty of the game made it a two-score match and effectively wrapped up the result.

Persons: Damian Penaud’s, Thomas Ramos, Mark Telea, Melvyn Jaminet’s, “, ” France’s Gregory Alldritt, “ It’s, ”, France's Damian Penaud, France's, Matthieu Jalibert, Stephanie Lecocq, Christian Hartmann, Telea, Ramos, Richie Mo’unga’s, Mo’unga, Les Bleus, Will Jordan, Jaco Peyper, Ramos ’, Jaminet’s Organizations: CNN, France, Zealand, New Zealand, Reuters, Rugby, Stade de France, Blacks, Stade Locations: Paris, France, ” France, Uruguay, Lille, New Zealand, Namibia, Toulouse, Haka, Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania

☆ Sizzling France down New Zealand in thrilling World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The All Blacks, beaten for the first time in 32 World Cup pool games, had two Mark Telea tries and a sole penalty by Richie Mo'unga to show for themselves. "We felt there was a lot of pressure in the first half, it took, us time to relax and they scored quickly and easily. Sixteen years after losing their opening World Cup game as hosts against Argentina, France rose to the occasion, beating the All Blacks for the second time in a row. New Zealand were on the brink of the line again and surprisingly opted for the kick when France were penalised. France started the second half with a more playful mindset but were punished right away for their defensive nonchalance.

Persons: Ramos, Les Bleus, Damian Penaud, Melvyn Jaminet, Thomas Ramos, Mark Telea, Richie Mo'unga, Romain Ntamack, Paul Willemse, Jonathan Danty, Julien Marchand, It's, Fabien Galthie, Ian Foster's, Foster, Emmanuel Macron, Sam Cane, Tupou Vaa'i, Dalton Papali'i, Cane, Beauden Barrett, Marchand, Mo'unga, Ioane, Matthieu Jalibert, Ardie, Willie Jordan, Jaminet, Julien Pretot, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis, Ken Ferris Organizations: Blacks, Rugby, New Zealand, Stade de France, New, Argentina, South, France, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: France, Uruguay, Lille, New Zealand, Namibia, Toulouse, South Africa, New

☆ All Blacks have a point to prove in blockbuster opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | 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

PARIS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - New Zealand coach Ian Foster said the All Blacks had a point to prove in their World Cup opener against hosts France on Friday, a match he thought was unprecedented in terms of hype but which ultimately might not turn out to be hugely important. "Do we have a point to prove? Then we'll really assess after that to see where we're at, and how we progress in this tournament." "The All Blacks have learned over history, you just don't turn up at a World Cup and get what you want just by being here," he added. The All Blacks have never lost a World Cup pool match but Foster said it might not matter much in the greater scheme of the tournament if they were beaten on Friday.

Persons: Ian Foster, Foster, You've, you've, there's, haven't, We've, I've, we've, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis Organizations: Blacks, France, Twickenham, New Zealand, Stade de France, Zealand, South Africa, Springboks, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa

☆ 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: Teen dies after collision with police car near Paris
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - The French government on Thursday called for calm following the death of a 16-year-old boy whose motorbike collided with a police car on a road outside Paris. Government spokesman Olivier Veran said the investigations under way would determine the "exact circumstances" of Wednesday's collision. I am calling for restraint and careful consideration," he said on France Inter radio. The death of the teenager, whose ethnicity had not been reported, occurred as France gears up to host the Rugby World Cup. The tournament kicks off on Friday when France play New Zealand at the Stade de France near Paris.

Persons: Olivier Veran, Dominique Vidalon, Alain Acco, Christina Fincher, John Stonestreet Organizations: Prosecutors, Government, France Inter, Rugby, New Zealand, Stade de France, Thomson Locations: Paris, Elancourt, Yvelines, Nanterre, France

A lawyer representing the boy's family accused police of ramming a patrol car into his motocross bike during a high-speed chase on Wednesday. Prosecutors said that they were treating the incident as "unintentional" and were looking for videos to ascertain the facts. The crash happened just over two months after police shot and killed a 17-year-old of North African descent at a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. The tournament, one of the major events on this year's international sporting calendar, kicks off on Friday when France play New Zealand at the Stade de France near Paris. Reporting by Dominique Vidalon, Alain Acco, Layli Foroudi; Editing by John Stonestreet and Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yves Herman, France's, Olivier Veran, Dominique Vidalon, Alain Acco, Layli, John Stonestreet, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Police, Prosecutors, France Inter, Rugby, New Zealand, Stade de France, Thomson Locations: Nanterre, Paris suburb, France, PARIS, Paris, Elancourt, Yvelines

The tournament starts Friday at the same Stade de France where the security fiasco last year drew worldwide attention to heavy-handed policing, raising questions about how France manages security at big events. Although UEFA was blamed for the near-disaster at the Champions League final, French senators said the fiaco was also because of mistakes by police, with “malfunction at every stage” before, during and after the game. In their report, senators pointed to the poor handling of fans ahead of the Champions League final that created a bottleneck near the Stade de France. “The pathways to the Stade de France, which led to the difficulties we experienced, have been perfectly revised,” Darmanin said. He added that all of the Rugby World Cup teams will benefit from the protection of elite police forces during their stay in France.

Persons: Gerard Darmanin, “, ” Darmanin, Denis, ”, Amélie Oudéa, we’ve, Darmanin, ___ Organizations: League, Stade de France, Champions League, UEFA, French Sports, Rugby World, Paralympic Games, Rugby Locations: France, Paris, French, New Zealand, Seine

☆ Paris 2024: The war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending. That leaves a dark cloud over the Olympic Games
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Kharlan’s disqualification threw into sharp relief the political and organizational jeopardy that France and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is facing ahead of the Games. So far, no decision has been taken on Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The opening ceremony is already uniquely French in nature with the Games set to be centered around the Seine, the river running through the city. Organizers also say that the Paris Games “finance themselves,” claiming that 96% of the budget comes from private investment. Next year’s Olympic Games are set to start on July 26 and run until August 11.

Persons: Olga Kharlan, Anna Smirnova, Kharlan’s, Thomas Bach, Russia’s, Smirnova, Russian Anna Smirnova, Ukraine's Olga Kharlan, Tibor Illyes, ” Bach, “, ” Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, CNN’s Amanda Davies, Jimmy Carter, ”, Moses, AP El, Emmanuel Macron, Geoffroy Van Der, Tony Estanguet, CNN’s Melissa Bell, “ It’s, Denis the, aren’t, Jimmy Gressier, Tullio M, Estanguet, Shelly, Ann Fraser, Pryce, ” Fraser, Fabrice Coffrini, Katie Ledecky, Ariarne Titmus, Summer McIntosh Organizations: CNN, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Belarusian Olympic, Olympic, US Olympic, USA, US State Department, United, AP, AP El Moutawakel, Games, Eastern Bloc, Getty, Paris, FIFA, Stade de France, UEFA, League, Stade de France –, de Police, BFMTV, RMC Sport, CNN Sport, Paris Games, Paralympic, Paralympic Games Locations: Paris, Ukrainian, France, Ukraine, Belarusian, Russia, Milan, Russian, Soviet, Afghanistan, Morocco, United States, Soviet Union, Los Angeles , California, –, Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt, AFP, Saint, Puglia, Lausanne, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Seine

His death, caught on video, has reignited longstanding complaints by poor and racially mixed urban communities of police violence and racism. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said early on Saturday that 270 people had been arrested on Friday night, bringing the total to more than 1,100 since unrest ignited. In Lyon, France's third-largest city, the gendarmes police force deployed armoured personnel carriers and a helicopter to quell the unrest. Darmanin asked local authorities across France to halt bus and tram traffic from 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) and said 45,000 officers were being deployed, 5,000 more than on Thursday. In Paris, police cleared protesters from the iconic central Place de la Concorde square on Friday night after an impromptu demonstration.

Persons: Nahel, Juan Medina, Macron, Emmanuel Macron, Gerald Darmanin, France's, Benoit Payan, Darmanin, we're, Snapchat, Mohamed Jakoubi, Enzo Santo Domingo, Ravina Shamdasani, Laurent, Franck Lienard, didn't, Lienard, Jacques Chirac, Dominique Vidalon, Marc Leras, Jean, Stephane Brosse, Pascal Rossignol, Elizabeth Pineau, Layli Foroudi, Gabrielle Tetrault, Farber, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Alison Williams, Sandra Maler, Dan Wallis, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, Government, Marseille, TF1, French soccer, Stade de France, de, Meta, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Nanterre, Paris, France, PARIS, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Lille, Spanish, Bilbao, Brussels, Aubervilliers, U.S, Geneva, Amsterdam

☆ UEFA to involve fans in planning finals after 2022 Champions League chaos
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 5 (Reuters) - UEFA will involve fans in the "planning and execution" of finals, it said on Friday as it announced plans to implement recommendations made by an independent panel following the chaos at the 2022 Champions League showpiece. UEFA, Europe's soccer governing body, apologised to Liverpool for initially blaming the Merseyside club's fans for the mayhem following the release of the review in February. UEFA said it has since had "positive dialogue" with fans through the group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) to ensure they are involved in finals in the future. "At UEFA, we are fully committed to ensuring that every football fan can enjoy their team's appearance in a UEFA final in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment," UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said in a statement. UEFA said it has increased the number of its safety and security officers who will cover finals while it has commissioned crowd modelling reports for finals this year.

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