Follow live updates from the Rugby World Cup as France look to make it two from two when they take on USA this morning.
The French came through an epic thriller against Argentina in their opening match, with Les Bleus now favourite to join England in qualifying for the quarter-finals.
But first they must overcome the challenge posed by Gary Gold’s USA side, who were thumped 45-7 in their opener against Eddie Jones’ men last week. Follow live updates below:
Hello all and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of this morning's Rugby World Cup clash between France and the USA.
We'll be bringing you all the live action, reaction and analysis - so make sure to stay tuned!
We'll be bringing you all the live action, reaction and analysis - so make sure to stay tuned!
Hello hello.
Sufficiently rested after a day off from World Cup rugby yesterday? Good to hear it, for we've two games to be consumed this morning, starting with a little Pool C tune in Fukuoka, with the USA hoping to challenge a much-changed France side.
Kick-off is little more than half-an-hour away...
Team News - France
This is a very different French side to the one that squeaked past Argentina in their opening fixture, with Jacques Brunel making 12 changes.
Gael Fickou, Yoann Huget and Arthur Iturria are the only players to retain their places in the France side, with Louis Picamoles captaining the side from number eight.
Team News - USA
Mauled and comfortably beaten by England, the USA will be looking to put up more of a fight today.
Eric Fry, Mike Te'o, Hanco Germishuys, Nate Brakeley and Bryce Campbell all come in to the starting lineup.
France's Fijian flyer...
Given how the USA were so thoroughly outmuscled by England, you could almost forgive France abandoning their flair game and keeping things in tight today, but this is an extremely exciting backline full of devastating open field runners.
Perhaps the best of them is Alivereti Raka, born in Fiji but now a French passport holder and into the World Cup squad after just two warm-up appearances. Speedy and almost impossible to put down, Raka is not the biggest Fijian-born wing knocking about but has power in abundance in a relatively compact frame, and defences simply haven't had a clue how to handle the Clermont Auvergne man in the Top 14 and Champions Cup in the last couple of years. He's recovered from a serious knee injury but seems to have lost none of his devastating athleticism, and Raka's a pretty handy aerial operator, too.
The USA were really disappointing against England, but rugby is trending in the right direction in the country, and there's a rather sizeable Frenchman (who'd have hoped to be playing in this game rather than turning out at number eight for loan club Lyon) headed to New York in the new year.
Art de Roche on Major League Rugby, Bastareaud and where American rugby is going...
Out onto the Fukuoka surface amble the two sets of players. How will France go today? Ever enigmatic, but on paper this backline is scintillating. Sofiane Guitoune is another favourite - such a silky and skillful operator at outside centre, with plenty of pace.
A moment of silence in memory of recently deceased former French president Jacques Chirac is observed beautifully.
Two passionately sung anthems, and it is time for the onfield festivities. Can the USA produce a World Cup shock?
1 minute
Some pre-match rain has dissipated and the weather is overcast but dry, for the moment at least.
Camille Chat greets USA scrum-half Shaun Davies with a big shoulder to the mid-riff as the nine collects a lineout tap-down. USA need to get their set-piece right today.
2 minutes
They have to take high balls, too. They don't here, and France collect the bobbling ball.
Camille Lopez knifes through a sizeable hole in the recovering USA defence and slips a one-hander to Gael Fickou, but a smart tackle from Marcel Brache knocks the ball from the centre's grasp. USA clear, but France will have a lineout in good position.
4 minutes
Inauspicious start for Alivereti Raka after I gave him the big build-up - France try to work him into the game from the back of a static maul behind Fickou running a decoy line but Raka drops it cold. Knock-on, USA scrum.
5 minutes
The US lost their loosehead prop in their first scrum against England, but seem to survive the rigours of this one, with Titi Lamisotele anchoring well on the tighthead side.
A prod ahead pushes the French back, but there is broken field with which to work.
6 minutes
And it's tighthead prop Emerick Setiano of all people to exploit it!
The big man shimmies his way through a gap after Thomas Ramos' fancy footwork creates a broken line, and Setiano's offload to Paul Gabrillagues is a good one.
Dab over the top from Camille Lopez...
8 minutes
The USA rely on their maul but didn't get it going at all against England. Their first attempt here is sacked by France, but illegally so and USA can kick into French territory from the penalty.
9 minutes
Nice play from the USA, playing close to the defensive line and picking passes well. AJ MacGinty fizzes a lovely flat pass out to sevens convert Martin Iosefo, who powers through a tackle and wins another maul, this one five metres from the French line.
11 minutes
Superb defence!
France time their drive brilliantly, waiting for the lineout catcher to hit the deck and then fracturing it with coordinated pushes, guiding it over the touchline without making so much as a metre. France lineout, and an efficient exit from Maxime Machenaud and Camille Lopez. Touched, too, so it will be a French lineout.
13 minutes
There's that chip again! The USA's backfield is deep expecting a high box kick or bomb from Camille Lopez, but he spots the space and jabs a little lob wedge over the top.
France have it, but just manage to fumble on the floor with support pouring through. A shame - another score was coming, you feel, with the USA defence struggling to recover.
When is is?
France vs USA kicks off at 4.45pm Japan Standard Time, which is 8.45am BST, on Wednesday 2 October.
Where can I watch it?
ITV4 will be broadcasting the match, with coverage starting at 8.15am BST.
You can also live stream the fixture on your laptop, phone or tablet via the ITV hub.
