Thank you very much for joining me.
Here is Michael Aylwin’s report from tonight’s match.
The France fans gave the Uruguay team a standing ovation after the match, and rightly so. A fine effort from the South Americans, that’s for sure.
I think Taofifenua would have been harshly dealt with if he received a red tonight. Although, I thought similar about Curry.
Another game that will be dominated by a headshot that was not deemed worthy of a red card. This entire RWC feels a bit of a shambles at the moment. @Will_Unwin
— Schadenfreude (@schadenfreudem1) September 14, 2023
A little bit of England …
Uruguay will fancy their chances against Italy and Namibia after tonight’s performance. That third-placed finish in the group looks very possible at the moment.
Full time! France 27-12 Uruguay
France are the winners on the night but Uruguay come out of the fixture with the most credit. They were exciting with ball in hand but did not have the smarts to better France over 80 minutes. The much-changed France team were far from convincing from start to finish.
78 mins: Uruguay are still looking to add some points …
77 mins: NO TRY! Uruguay get a lineout in the corner but France win it to release the pressure … but not for long as Uruguay turn it over … and then lose it again.
Macalou gets the ball out of the ruck and picks up the loose ball before running half the length of the pitch for a try. It does not count, however, but it transpires Macalou kicked the ball out of the ruck originally.
TRY! France 27-12 Uruguay ( Bielle-Biarrey, 73)
After trying to batter down the Uruguay front door, eventually the ball is slung out to the right where Bielle-Biarrey is waiting and he gladly powers over the line. Jaminet kicks from the touchline … it’s good!
Updated
72 mins: Some impressively scrappy play ends with a knock-on from Uruguay. Everyone gets a break as medical treatment is required.
70 mins: There is a France knock-on from their own lineout. I can’t see many of today’s starting lineup have made much of a case to be in the XV next time out.
68 mins: A Uruguay lineout goes their way and they look to drive to the line but the ball drops to the floor. We get another scrum to see how that goes … the penalty goes against Uruguay on this occasion.
66 mins: Uruguay are still looking confident despite conceding that try seconds after they had scored their own to get a point behind. I thought France might begin to dominate the final 20 minutes but that has not come to fruition.
64 mins: The latest scrum-related penalty is given against France. A funny little game when it comes to the scrum.
With ball in hand, Uruguay really are good fun. They are taking risks and throwing it around quickly in an attempt to open up France.
Updated
62 mins: The turf at the ground does not look suitable for scrums. It is giving way to pressure, making Uruguay’s struggles in the scrum look worse.
O’Keefe is working on setting the scrum, which is a huge challenge for the ref.
60 mins: France go for the corner to receive a lineout. Naturally a rolling maul follows. It works and the ball inches towards the line but Uruguay hold up the blue shirts and a penalty is awarded.
58 mins: What will that do Uruguay’s confidence? They were in with more of a sniff and all that momentum could be lost.
TRY! France 20-12 Uruguay (Mauvaka, 55)
OH NO! Etcheverry with a very rushed kicked whacks the ball against his teammate and goes towards the Uruguay line. Mauvaka claims it and touches down. No issues with the conversion.
Updated
TRY! France 13-12 Uruguay (Amaya, 53)
The ball goes out to the right, eventually reaching Amaya who eyes a gap in the defence, doing two defenders for speed before putting down in the corner. Uruguay are looking confident. Etcheverry adds the two points with a fine conversion from a the right touchline. This is fun!
Updated
52 mins: Lots of changes in the front row but it’s made no difference to the scrum as France continue to dominate.
Uruguay get a penalty and whack it right into the corner for more lineout fun. If they had more confidence in their kicker they might be a lot closer in terms of scoreline …
50 mins: NO TRY! A kick goes up and hits a jumping Jelonch on the arm. The ball goes forward and Villiere is there to put it down over the line. The referee gives the try but the TMO has other ideas.
Lots of subs! Two many to mention but fair to say both sides are very fresh now.
Updated
49 mins: MISSED KICK! France just want to add some extra points to take the pressure off. Jaminet is the man to do that from distance from the boot but he drags his kick just wide. Not ideal for France.
48 mins: Now we knock-on from Uruguay. It’s been a scrappy start to the half.
46 mins: France are penalised for failing to send in a straight lineout and then they collapse the scrum. They are making a few mistakes because they are under more pressure than they anticipated in this match.
44 mins: The lineout is good but eventually the ball is turned over and France clear. A missed opportunity for Uruguay.
Updated
42 mins: Amaya breaks the French defensive line and sprints a good 30 metres down the pitch but is halted. In the end, France give away a penalty for a hand in the ruck. As always, Uruguay go for the corner.
Second half
Here we go again!
England injury news …
Half time: France 13-5 Uruguay
The score is a lot closer than many anticipated. France suffered a sin binning but have still be pretty dominant. Uruguay have looked good with ball in hand and will be disappointed to not be a single point behind after a potential second try was chalked off.
39 mins: Ardao is called for being off his feet. Once more, France kick for the corner. The lineout is good and the rolling maul looks to be working. They have a couple of jabs for the line and eventually lift a long kick out to Villiere but it goes over the deadball line.
37 mins: Arata is done for obstruction. They kick for the corner and look to get a try before half time … but they fail to make the most of the position they finds themselves in. Uruguay’s defence is well-organised, that’s for sure.
Taofifenua is back.
35 mins: On the upside for Uruguay, they do look good when they do have possession. Sadly, they just haven’t had much of it.
33 mins: NO TRY! Uruguay still have a few minutes with the extra man and use it well. They win the lineout and quickly send the ball across to Etcheverry who darts into a gap and dives across the line. Unfortunately for Uruguay, the officials look at buildup and annul the try because Inciarte prevents a tackle on Etcheverry.
Updated
32 mins: Scrums and lineouts are not Uruguay’s forte but they have looked impressive with the ball in hand. They are inventive and aiming to surprise France with a few tricks.
I say that about the scrum and then they win a penalty from a scrum. They discuss kicking it but Etcheverry goes for the corner.
Taofifenua yellow will not be upgraded to a red.
30 mins: Taofifenua does not seem to be wrapping, which will count against him when it comes to the final decision.
Uruguay literally throw away a lineout to put themselves under pressure but once again the defence holds firm and France give away a penalty through a knock-on. The scrum works on this occasion and it is moved quickly by Arata out to the left and Freitas has a sniff of a chance on the wing but does not have the pace to get way.
YELLOW CARD: Taofifenua
27 mins: Arata gets a blow to the face from Taofifenua’s shoulder. He is off to the bunker …
Updated
26 mins: France have a lineout in a dangerous position. They enact a rolling maul but Uruguay see it coming and hold them up. Eventually the penalty goes against France and the yellow shirts can look relaxed for a moment until the scrum begins.
This time the referee goes with the Uruguay over an early engagement from France.
24 mins: Uruguay’s forwards are not doing well in the scrum. Will they need to make a change to help cope with France’s strength?
23 mins: We get a bit of back and forth from the boot ending with France countering at speed. Villiere gets down the wing but Uruguay stay strong and the penalty is awarded against France, much to Uruguay’s relief.
21 mins: A penalty against France is award and Uruguay kick for a lineout. Unfortunately, the throw is deemed to not be straight.
19 mins: France are dominating the possession here. They are looking to fling the ball around at speed to move around Uruguay’s defence. Another try seem inevitable.
17 mins: Uruguay turn it over in near the France 22 but they quickly hand over possession thanks to Leindekar knock-on. There is a scrum and Uruguay cannot cope once more …
PENALTY! France 13-5 Uruguay (Jaminet, 16)
As with any team struggling in defence, Uruguay are giving away penalties. This one is almost in front of the posts and Jaminet does the deed.
14 mins: France are rolling down the pitch and make good progress. Eventually the ball is flung across the pitch and they look to attack down the right wing but are held up. This does not look like it will be much of a contest. The crowd are loving it.
TRY! France 10-5 Uruguay (Hastoy, 11)
Lucu gets the ball from the base of the scrum and moves away at speed to find Hastoy to power over the line. Jaminet pings the kick over.
Updated
10 mins: France look to pummel their way through the collection of yellow shirts. In the end Uruguay are called for offside. France take the option of a scrum five yards from the line. Naturally, it requires a reset …
The referee is needs to talk the Uruguay forwards through the scrum. They do not look like they can cope with this.
8 mins: Considering Uruguay failed to take the original kick off and looked awful in the scrum, they quickly found their feet once they got ball in hand.
No one actually thinks they will hold on but what a moment for Freitas and Uruguay.
TRY! France 3-5 Uruguay (Freitas, 6)
Not a single positive for Uruguay to take prior to that penalty going over the posts. They messed up collecting kick off and then were awful in the scrum. They win a lineout and show some quick hands as they look to find a gap in the France defence until a lovely kick towards the corner from Etcheverry finds Freitas, who controls it on his thigh and then grounds it over the line in the corner.
Etcheverry misses the conversion by a mile.
Updated
PENALTY! France 3-0 Uruguay (Jaminet, 4)
No mistake from Jaminet out on the left as he whacks it through the posts.
Updated
3 mins: Uruguay struggle in the scrum and referee has no option but to award France an early penalty in kickable distance.
Updated
2 mins: Uruguay fail to claim the ball from kick off and France look to pounce but a knock-on quickly ends the danger.
Kick off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
The teams are out and the national anthems are being belted out. France wearing their traditional blue shirts, white shorts and red socks. Uruguay are sporting a jazzy yellow and light blue outfit.
It good to see France take their matches around the country to really make it a national event. All too often the hosts play their games in the capital and avoid anywhere else.
Updated
“I’m imagining it’s the Parisian rooftop malarkey?” You imagine correctly, John Potter. “Half expecting Dick van Dyke to show up at any moment with the Chimney sweep ensemble. Very strange indeed. Enjoy the game!”
Get your Uruguay fix and knowledge right here.
Can we talk through the ITV studio? I think it a bit weird. Looks a touch like a 1990s video game background.
On the upside, Gabriel Clarke is on TV, so all is forgiven.
Some bad news from the Scotland camp.
Impressive eyewear.
Uruguay president Luis Lacalle Pou is set to attend the match in Lille tonight. Will it be a boost the team?
Nicolas Freitas thinks so: “As soon as we wear this jersey, we know we represent a lot of people: family, friends, clubs.
“Of course, the presence of the president supporting us from the stands is a bonus. We will try to represent our country in the best possible way.”
Our rugby man, Nick Ames, has been speaking to the Portugal skipper.
Starting lineups
France: Jaminet; Bielle-Biarrey, Vincent, Moefana, Villiere; Hastoy, Lucu; Gros, Bourgarit, Aldegheri, Woki, Taofifenua, Boudehent, Macalou, Jelonch (capt).
Replacements: Mauvaka, Wardi, Falatea, Chalureau, Flament, Cros, Couilloud, Ramos.
Uruguay: Amaya; Basso, Inciarte, Vilaseca (capt), Freitas; Etcheverry, Arata; Sanguinetti, Pujadas, Peculo, Aliaga, Leindekar, Ardao, Civetta, Diana.
Replacements: Gattas, Benitez, Piussi, Dotti, Bianchi, Deus, Ormaechea, Berchesi.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Preamble
France, as hosts, laid down their marker on Friday night with a fine win over New Zealand in the opening game of the tournament. This is not a vintage All Blacks team but the margin of victory shows France have the ability to go all the way, especially with home crowd backing. Naturally, France have made a lot of changes to their lineup because their second string need minutes and should have no trouble overcoming Uruguay. It is imperative they do not let their focus slip.
For the South Americans, this is their first game of the competition, so coming into the match completely fresh but that is about the only thing they hold over France. The main aim for Uruguay will be to finish third in the group, with Italy their main rivals for that spot, to ensure qualification for the next World Cup.
Are we in for a shock? Almost certainly not.
Kick-off: 8pm BST
