France vs New Zealand (Friday 20:15)

The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday evening with the most eagerly anticipated curtain raiser in the history of the tournament, as the hosts France take on three-time champions and tournament favourites New Zealand at the Stade de France. 

France vs New Zealand Prediction

Betting Tip: France -1 First Half Handicap @ 11/10

This game has been the focus of the French team since the start of the year and despite a few injuries, they look set to make a fast start on Friday evening. 

In all but one of their games in 2023 (the loss to Ireland in the Six Nations), Les Bleus have been leading by at least three points at half-time.

New Zealand haven’t been slow starters themselves after sweeping all before them in the shortened 2023 Rugby Championship; however, their last two games have seen them dogged by sluggishness and poor discipline. 

They were 17-3 down to Australia at half-time (before clawing back a last-minute win) and they were blow off the field by South Africa at Twickenham a couple of weeks ago, trailing 14-0 at the break.

They were also 24-6 behind when these two sides met in Paris last November, as the French power game proved too much in a convincing 40-25 win. 

France have one of the top goal kickers in the world in Thomas Ramos to keep the scoreboard ticking over and with a partisan crowd behind them, I like their chances of covering the -1 first half handicap.

Betting Tip: Damian Penaud Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4

There are few better wingers in the world at the moment than Damian Penaud and he can get his World Cup off to the perfect start against New Zealand. The Bordeaux star has 29 international tries to his name, including two scores in his two appearances in the warm-ups.

He also crossed the line when these sides met in November and his ability to link up with Antoine Dupont makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

I expect France to create enough chances, and Penaud is the perfect man to take advantage of them – at 6/4 to score anytime he is my second bet of the game.