France v Uruguay LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as hosts survive huge scare

France 27-12 Uruguay: Los Teros hugely impressed but a much-changed Les Bleus had just enough to claim a scrappy win

Rugby World Cup: France get off to a flying start against New Zealand in opening game

France backed up their opening night win over New Zealand with a highly-entertaining 27-12 victory over Uruguay as the inspired Rugby World Cup outsiders made the second-string hosts work desperately hard for their points while scoring two fine tries.

Uruguay stunned the home fans when Nicolas Freitas scooped up a loose ball to score the opening try after six minutes and though Antoine Hastoy and the boot of Melvyn Jaminet edged France clear, they were lucky to lead 13-5 at half-time after a second try for the visitors by Felipe Etcheverry was harshly ruled out for obstruction.

They were not to be denied 13 minutes after the break though as Baltazar Amaya scored a brilliant try that Etcheverry converted to bring Uruguay, playing with remarkable confidence, within a point.

France, struggling with discipline all night, hit back quickly with a try by Peato Mauvaka but were still unable to take command and managed only one more, for Louis Bielle-Biarrey, meaning they missed out on a four-try bonus point and will hope to play better in remaining Pool A fixtures against Namibia and Italy.

Relive all the action from Stade Pierre Mauroy below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here

France vs Uruguay live

• France unconvincingly beat Uruguay 27-12 to make it two wins from two in Pool A
• REPORT: France given huge Rugby World Cup scare by minnows Uruguay
• FULL-TIME! France 27-12 Uruguay
• 72’ - TRY! Bielle-Biarrey over in the corner to put the game to bed (FRA 27-12 URU)
• 55’ - TRY! France immediately hit back as Mauvaka capitalises on sloppy kick error (FRA 20-12 URU)
• 52’ - TRY! Amaya dances through for try in the corner (FRA 13-12 URU)
• 49’ - NO TRY! Villiere score chalked off for Jelonch knock-on in the air (FRA 13-5 URU)
• 32’ - NO TRY! Etcheverry’s try for Uruguay ruled out for obstruction during the build-up (FRA 13-5 URU)
• 11’ - TRY! Hastoy finishes off nice team move (FRA 10-5 URU)
• 6’ - TRY! Freitas goes over to give Uruguay shock lead (FRA 3-5 URU)

[14 September 2023 18:50 · Luke Baker]

France lay down Rugby World Cup marker but not how they intended

France began their World Cup with victory over New Zealand at a rocking Stade de France last Friday. Here’s Luke Baker’s report from a memorable night in Paris:

Pressure can do strange things to teams. Even the best in the world can suddenly struggle to execute the most basic skills under the burden of expectation. On a night when a raucous, febrile Stade de France crowd more than did their part, their heroes on the field often failed to do theirs – certainly in the swashbuckling, free-flowing manner we have become accustomed to over the past few years.

Yet somehow, someway, and even with the talismanic Antoine Dupont kept quiet, France emerged comfortably victorious against New Zealand. Barring some catastrophe or act of God in their remaining group games against the overmatched trio of Italy, Namibia and Uruguay, they can now safely start turning their focus to a quarter-final.

This 27-13 win won’t live in the memory for the quality of performance – in fact, at times, especially in the first half, Les Bleus bore no resemblance to the dynamic, efficient, ruthless machine that Fabien Galthie has created during this four-year cycle – but perhaps their grinding victory was simply a sign of the true champions they are.

Maybe the most eagerly-anticipated Rugby World Cup opener since South Africa vs Australia in 1995 was never destined to be a carnival of high-class rugby but the fact it ended with the All Blacks’ first-ever pool-stage defeat, after 31 straight wins dating back to 1987, speaks to what Les Bleus are now capable of.

[14 September 2023 18:40 · Luke Baker]

Uruguay team news

Scrum half Santiago Arata starts for Uruguay having been a doubt for the tournament with a hand injury, with the Castres playmaker a star of Esteban Meneses’s side.

Andres Vilaseca captains Los Teros eight years after older brother Santiago led them at the 2015 tournament, while the centre is one of 11 survivors of the 2019 World Cup picked to start.

Uruguay XV: Mateo Sanguinetti, Guillermo Pujadas, Ignacio Peculo; Felipe Aliaga, Manuel Leindekar; Manuel Ardao, Santiago Civetta, Manuel Diana; Santiago Arata, Felipe Etcheverry; Nicolas Freitas, Andres Vilaseca (capt.), Tomas Inciarte, Bautista Basso; Baltazar Amaya.

Replacements: Facundo Gattas, Matias Benitez, Reinaldo Piussi, Ignacio Dotti, Lucas Binachi, Carlos Deus; Agustin Ormaechea, Felipe Berchesi.

[14 September 2023 18:30 · Luke Baker]

France team news

France have received a major fitness boost with Anthony Jelonch able to return after tearing his ACL earlier in the year. Jelonch captains a new-look side from No 8, with lock Cameron Woki, centre Yoram Moefana and wing Gabin Villiere the only three players to retain their starting spots from the win over New Zealand.

Cyril Baille and Jonathan Danty remain absent due to injury, and are the only two members of Fabien Galthie’s 33-man squad yet to feature in a matchday 23.

France XV: Jean-Baptiste Gros, Pierre Bourgarit, Dorian Aldegheri; Cameron Woki, Romain Taofifenua; Paul Boudehent, Sekou Macalou, Anthony Jelonch (capt.); Maxime Lucu, Antoine Hastoy; Gabin Villiere, Yoram Moefana, Arthur Vincent, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Melvyn Jaminet.

Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Bastien Chalureau, Thibaud Flament, Francois Cros; Baptiste Couilloud, Thomas Ramos.

[14 September 2023 18:20 · Luke Baker]

When is France vs Uruguay and how can I watch it?

When is France vs Uruguay?

France vs Uruguay is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 14 September at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV4, with coverage on the channel from 7.15pm BST. Registered users can also stream the action via ITVX.

[14 September 2023 18:11 · Luke Baker]

Is France vs Uruguay on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup

Uruguay begin their Rugby World Cup campaign with a tough opening meeting with hosts France.

Fabien Galthie’s side, among the favourites for the tournament, produced a solid first showing against New Zealand at a febrile Stade de France to put them in pole position to top Pool A.

Galthie has elected to rest most of his regular starters for this fixture, with a short turnaround from that curtain-raiser and Uruguay unlikely to provide an 80-minute challenge.

But Esteban Meneses has plenty of quality in his squad, and Los Teros produced a real shock by beating Fiji in one of the games of the tournament four years ago.

Here’s everything you need to know.

[14 September 2023 18:10 · Luke Baker]

France vs Uruguay

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of France vs Uruguay, the first of the second round of pool matches at this Rugby World Cup.

Les Bleus got things going on opening night with a stirring win over the All Blacks at a febrile Stade de France, while this is heavy underdogs Uruguay’s first game of the tournament.

Stick with us for full live coverage of the contest.