France against New Zealand in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup, at the magnificent Stade de France.
This is every rugby fan's dream fixture. France 2023 just could not have a better start.
These countries produced two of the greatest games in the competition’s 36-year history, in 1999 and 2007.
The 1999 semi-final was simply an astonishing game. 24-10 down, the French mounted what has to be the tournament’s greatest comeback against an all-star All Blacks side, with Jonah Lomu in his outrageous prime.
They scored 33 second-half points to stun New Zealand and the rugby world. It was glorious to watch.
Eight years later, Le Bleus would again send New Zealand home, this time in the quarter-finals, another game of jaw-dropping quality and drama.
Tonight's opener cannot be hyped enough, France is an exceptional side and New Zealand is not far behind.
Apart from what is expected to be an amazing game, Ireland fans will be intrigued by what is effectively a pool decider.
It is the winner or runner-up Ireland will be hoping to encounter in the quarter-finals in mid-October.
Ireland will want to top their pool. That would mean facing whoever loses between France and New Zealand.
The real tests are some way off in the pool but make no mistake they will really want to make a statement against Romania tomorrow.
The fact they are 19th in the world rankings means nothing, Andy Farrell will want a huge performance and ruthlessness from his team in Bordeaux.
It is worth remembering that it was a couple of unimpressive performances in Bordeaux 16 years ago, against Namibia and Georgia, that were the opening salvos of Ireland’s pool exit in 2007.
Just like then, they have the tier-two nations in the first games. Unlike then, there is a unity and a sense of real purpose to this squad, that possibly Ireland has never before brought to the global showpiece.
But the opening weekend feast is far from finished.
Later tomorrow, England will be hoping to change their horror form, when they take on Argentina.
Los Pumas beat England in Twickenham for the first time in 16 years, last November.
Now, a win for Michael Cheika’s side would be expected.
Only being pooled with an out-of-form Japan and first-timers Chile might save the English from an early exit.
Then, on Sunday, a simply huge game in deciding the outcome of Pool B.
Ireland’s rivals South Africa and Scotland meet in Marseilles.
The Scots really fancy themselves here, after a decent Six Nations and showing in the warm-up games.
But South Africa is different gravy, expect them to grind and squeeze the life out of Gregor Townsend’s pack.
Only for their lethal backline, with superstars Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe, to finish off the Tartan charge, with skill and execution that is something to behold.
Leinster’s incoming head coach Jacques Nienaber leads the defending champions.
They will take some stopping.
Listen to live coverage of all of Ireland's Rugby World Cup games on RTÉ Radio or follow our live blogs on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app.
Watch live coverage of Ireland v Tonga (Saturday 16 September) and South Africa (Saturday 23 September) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
