Rugby World Cup: program, TV channel, issues this Saturday

It’s another tournament that starts this Saturday. The group stage is over, it's time for the quarter-finals of the World Cup. The eight nations still in the running no longer have any room for error, starting with Wales and Argentina who face each other from 5 p.m. at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille. Hands down winner of Pool C, the Leek XV leaves with the favors of the forecasts against the Pumas, qualified at the last minute thanks to their success against Japan (39-27). The Welsh and Argentines hope to reach the semi-final to then challenge Ireland or New Zealand.

A shock awaits at the Stade de France at 9 p.m. The Irish, impressive since the start of the competition, have only one goal in mind: to win a knockout match at a World Cup for the first time in their history. Opposite, the All Blacks seem to be gaining strength since their inaugural defeat against the France team. The three-time world champions take on the role of outsider, which doesn't make them any less dangerous...

Wales-Argentina: 5:00 p.m. (France 2)

Ireland-New Zealand: 9:00 p.m. (TF1)

The Blues are on the eve of their quarter-final against South Africa on Sunday (9 p.m.) at the Stade de France. A final training session - that of the captain - to review the combinations is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. at the Parc stadium, in Rueil-Malmaison. Traditionally carried out the day before the match in the stadium hosting the match, it was relocated due to the Ireland-New Zealand quarter-final at the Stade de France this Saturday evening.

This Friday, coach Fabien Galthié revealed his team composition for this meeting. Captain Antoine Dupont, recovered from his maxillo-zygomatic fracture, will start in a XV without surprise.

The composition of France:

Ramos - Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey - (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont (cap) - Ollivon, Alldritt, Jelonch - Flament, Woki - Atonio, Mauvaka, Baille Substitutes: Bourgarit, Wardi, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Cros , Macalou, Lucu, Moefana

“The Welsh won their four (group) matches, impossible to do better. We know they will be favorites, said Argentina coach Michael Cheika, just to put the pressure back on Wales before the quarter-final in Marseille. We know that we will have to offer something different, something special. This is the only way to be able to compete with them. I believe very strongly in my team. I love these boys. They are still together, their involvement is enormous and I know they will really enjoy the event. The Pumas are aiming for a third semi-final in the World Cup (after 2007 and 2015) against the XV du Poireau, who won the last duel (20-13) in November 2022 in Cardiff.

Author of four tries already in this World Cup, the Irish center reigned supreme during the group stage. A real bulldozer (1.78 m, 102 kilos), the Connacht rugby player is the one who has made the most races with ball in hand (61) for the moment. The All Blacks know it, Aki (born in Auckland) will have no feeling for his country of origin. The pair he forms with Garry Ringrose is formidable, the New Zealand centers Rieko Ioane and Jordie Barrett will have their work cut out to compete.

Since 1905, New Zealand and Ireland have faced each other 36 times, with 30 New Zealand victories, one draw and 5 Irish victories. But despite this unequivocal historic record, the XV of Clover would be wrong to lower their eyes in front of the All Blacks. Indeed, its 5 successes were obtained during the last 8 confrontations between the two teams, the last two of which date from July 2022. Andy Farrell's men had imposed their law on their opponent, in Dunedin then Wellington, to win impose 23-12 and 32-22. There is no doubt that the world's leading nation will have this double prestige in mind when meeting the Kiwis in Saint-Denis. So, never 2 without 3?

SEE ALSO - Against the Netherlands (8:45 p.m.), the Blues aim to qualify for Euro 2024