Axel May, edited by Philippe Folgado // Photo credit:
It is an early final which will take place this Saturday evening at 9 p.m. at the Stade de France between two favorites of the Rugby World Cup, Ireland faces South Africa, title holders. A match which will be particularly scrutinized by the XV of France which will face the loser of this meeting in the next round.
Since the draw for the Rugby World Cup, two posters have been particularly scrutinized. First the opening match, won by the French XV against New Zealand, then the clash this Saturday evening between the Irish, world number 1 and led by their icon Johnny Sexton, and the South Africans, champion of the world in title.
The loser will face France in the quarter-finals
“It’s going to be a titanic match, a fierce fight. The Blues will obviously watch this match because they want to know what to expect”, according to Serge Blanco, the rugby consultant for Europe 1. Because the loser of this meeting will find France on its way to the quarter-finals of the competition. Except in the event of a surprise defeat for the Blues against Italy on October 6, a scenario that Serge Blanco “doesn’t even dare to imagine”.
Another question for the French XV is whether or not their captain Antoine Dupont will be reinstated for the quarter-final which will in principle be held in a month, either against Ireland or against South Africa. The duration of Dupont’s unavailability should be known by Monday, a final package remains possible for the moment.