France vs. New Zealand Rugby 2013: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

A repeat of 2011's Rugby World Cup final, France and New Zealand clash once more this Saturday, but it's Les Bleus that boast home advantage this time around.

There is a more recent context to this fixture, however, as France went 0-3 during their tour of New Zealand over the summer, helping the All Blacks prepare for their Rugby Championship tournament and scoring only 22 points across the three matches.

Having beaten their Southern Hemisphere opponents just twice in the last 10 years, the French will need a miracle to stop the 2013 onslaught of what is currently the best team in the world.

This weekend's clash is undoubtedly a daunting opener to their autumn international series.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 9

Time: 9 p.m. Local Time/8 p.m. GMT/ 3 p.m. ET 

Venue: Stade de France, Paris

Viewing Info: Sky Sports 2 (UK), Sky Sport 1 (NZL), Canal+ Deportes (EUR)

Stream: Sky Go (Subscription Required)

Key Battles

Thierry Dusautoir vs. Richie McCaw

No two figures will have more of an impact on the leadership scales this weekend than the clash between Thierry Dusautoir and Richie McCaw, each lining up at openside flanker.

The latter thrived at No. 8 against Japan last weekend but can now return to his natural habitat with the hopes of making his customary impact at the breakdown.

A lot of the All Blacks' attack relies on turnover ball, specifically in the opposition half, so it's this particular battle that will decide just where the visitors lay their foundations to carry from.

Both back-row stars are strong presences around the fringes for their respective sides, although it's McCaw who will undoubtedly be the one doing more damage with ball in hand.

Remi Tales vs. Dan Carter

Fly-half was always going to be an area of contention for France after the in-form Francois Trinh-Duc was left out of Philipp Saint-Andre's squad, with Sky Sports announcing on Thursday that it would be Remi Tales getting the nod to start. 

At one end of the spectrum, the man starting at No. 10 for France this weekend has just two caps for his national team. At the other is New Zealand's Dan Carter, on the cusp of earning his international Test century and widely regarded as one of the game's top creators.

Carter's talent in playmaking needs no testimony. The 31-year-old warmed up on his return against Japan last weekend and is ready to hit the heights once again this Saturday.

With Jean-Marc Doussain waiting on the bench, Tales is under pressure to impress as the Castres man once again takes steps in international blue, lined up against formidable opposition.

Yoann Huget vs. Charles Piutau

Charles Piutau had a particularly successful summer and starts this weekend against France, the team against whom he made his first international appearance.

It was just last weekend that the winger, filling in for an absent Julian Savea, scored his first tries for the All Blacks and carried for an incredible 147 metres, albeit against a fairly lacklustre Japanese defence.

Yoann Huget hasn't had a lot of international form to go on recently but has been in fine fettle for Toulouse, who currently boast the stingiest defence in the Top 14.

Both speedsters hold near-endless pace and finishing ability, but it will be defensive tact that decides exactly who makes the most difference on Saturday.