France rugby team
Boks face Ireland, All Blacks face France in 2023 RWC pool stages
Holders South Africa will face Ireland and 2003 champions England will take on Japan, who hosted the last World Cup in 2019.
Former rugby international Christophe Dominici, who was found dead at the age of 48 in a park near Paris on Tuesday, was undoubtedly one of the legends of modern French rugby.
An eight-team event will feature Europe's leading six nations as well as Fiji and Georgia, who came in after Japan withdrew because of travel restrictions.
Almost a year to the day since England lost to South Africa in the World Cup final, a 34-5 win away to Italy in Rome saw them take the Six Nations title from France on points difference, despite Les Bleus' 35-27 defeat of Ireland later on Saturday.
France were leading 7-6 at the time but eventually lost 28-17, with defeat ending their hopes of a Grand Slam.
A thumping win for defending Grand Slam champions Wales over Italy, Ireland grinding out a victory over Scotland, and France pulling the punches in defeating England.
France led 19-10 when Sebastien Vahaamahina was sent off in the 49th minute in Tokyo for elbowing Aaron Wainwright on Sunday. Wales won 20-19.
The tournament promises to be one of the most open in history, with at least five or six teams capable of preventing favourites New Zealand from winning an unprecedented third consecutive title.
Sanchez has a ream of French experience, having also played for Stade's Top 14 rivals Bordeaux-Begles and Toulon over four seasons before linking up briefly with the Jaguares in Super Rugby.
Argentina's fly-half says the aerial battle will be a key factor in their crunch Pool C encounter with France, hoping that his experience in French rugby will give him an edge.
The 2012 world champion with the Baby Boks headed to French outfit Grenoble the day after he married his childhood sweetheart.
Ex-Bulls lock Paul Willemse qualifies for his adoptive country on residency grounds having spent more than three years with Top 14 clubs Montpellier and Grenoble.
South Africa haven't lost to the French since 2009 but Erasmus is not taking another victory as a given.
The inclusion of Willie le Roux, Faf de Klerk and Franco Mostert, who share close to a century of international caps, is the only change announced by coach Rassie Erasmus.
Springbok centre Damian de Allende says the team is very focused in the build-up to the Test against France in Paris on Saturday night.
South Africa scored a winning 37 in both the first and second Test over the last fortnight to begin their rehabilitation after a miserable 2016.
Kriel is likely to start at centre after recovering from a concussion, but the Boks will be without Oupa Mohoje, who suffered a concussion in Durban.
Seven players were not considered for the first test but were all available when coach Guy Noves made his selection for the second test, changing eight players.
After a disappointing 2016, this Bok team look revived and refreshed, showing off skill and running the ball.