France are ranked fourth in the world but have come into the tournament on the back of a defeat by number one-ranked England in their final warm-up match, and as such they will head to Sandy Park hoping to get back to winning ways with a big performance.
Standing in their way are their Six Nations rivals Italy, ranked seventh in the world and arriving in Exeter after an impressive victory over Scotland during their warm-up campaign.
Expect fireworks when these two sides meet in the heart of Devon.
Kick-off: 20:15 BST, Saturday, 23 August
Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter
From where to go before kick-off, to must-visit local attractions, check out Canada international Emily Tuttosi’s Guide to Sunderland.
How to watch: Grab some of the few remaining tickets here.
Or check out our global guide to the TV options in your region.
France team
France key player: It’s hard to look past midfield maestro Gabrielle Vernier. She runs cunning lines to cut through defences, and is a hard-hitting tackler on the other side of the ball. So much of what has made France a good team over recent years has been harvested thanks to her rugby brain and clinical execution.
Italy team
Italy key player: Italy love to run the ball from all corners of the pitch, and winger Aura Muzzo is that attitude personified. Named in the Six Nations 2025 Team of the Championship, her ability to run through defences as often as she does around them makes Muzzo a handful for France’s defensive line.
What they said
France co-captain, Manae Feleu:
“When you play a World Cup, you don’t know if you’ll ever get another chance. An athlete’s career has highs and lows, and opportunities like this don’t always come back around. So my advice is: enjoy everything – time off, training, matches – give it 100% so you have no regrets later.
“We do talk about it, though it depends on the girls. It’s not on the table at every meal, but I’ve spoken to a few of them and of course they’re curious, they want to know what it was like.”
France co-head coach, Gaëlle Mignot:
“We needed to arrive and feel it, to really sense that the World Cup is starting. You prepare, but until you set foot here it doesn’t feel real.
“Now we’re finding our feet. The Opening Ceremony made it clear what’s coming, even if our hotel is in a quiet spot. When the girls went into Exeter on their day off, they felt it: this is a big event, and the scale of it hit home.
“We’re aligned with the players: everyone knows last week’s performance didn’t reflect our preparation or the work of the last few years. The group is determined, and that defeat [against England] has fired them up to show who they really are.”
Italy head coach Fabio Roselli:
“I think it is great, there is a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm and we are very excited to start the World Cup and we are very happy to start against a strong team like France. Everything is going well, we are aware that it will be a tough game but we will try to play our best and do it for 80 minutes.
“We know France and France knows Italy as well so I think we tried to imagine and generate what scenario we will be in on Saturday during the match. We have imagined how France will play the game, we know their physicality in the collisions, we know that they will like to break the game as soon as possible and at the same time Italy too, maybe in a different way we like to break the game. When we try to do this and make it more comfortable for the squad, we know we are doing it in the right way.”
Italy prop Sara Seye:
“Yeah, I do expect France to come physical, we’ve met them every year (in the Six Nations) and I think the last game we played against them was a good game, a close game, so I’m thinking it’s going to be like that.
“Everything is on the table, cards are going to be played, but they’re going to come physical, and we’re ready for that.
“I’m very excited, I’m very proud and thankful for the coaches that have selected me, but I’m also very anxious because you have to prove that you are ready to be there. It’s always a good amount of pressure and excitement.”