So hosts France are up and running with a hard-earned win over World Cup heavyweights New Zealand.

You can read our full report from the Stade de France here.

If tonight was enough to whet your appetite, then don't worry, we'll be back tomorrow with live text and radio coverage of all four games.

• Italy v Namibia (12:00 BST)
• Ireland v Romania (14:30 BST)
• Australia v Georgia (17:00 BST)
• England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

Until then...

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Mehrtens
Former New Zealand fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

We have seen teams do it before and reach the final having lost, with England in 2007 and France came within a whisker of winning it in 2011 when they lost two pool games.

Of course New Zealanders are going to take any possible consolation out of it but they won't be happy with their second half, so they will look at that performance.

Image source, Getty Images

France are yet to taste defeat on home soil this year.

They are on a run of 14 consecutive home wins since November 2021.

Just six more wins to go and they will be world champions for the first time.

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Mehrtens
Former New Zealand fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

While Romain Ntamack has unbelievable talent he is used to playing a secondary role to Antoine Dupont, whereas Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Hastoy may come in and be their own man. That takes some decision-making away from Dupont, which I think is a good thing.

France have only lost their opening pool game once in their history - against Argentina at Stade de France in 2007.

Image source, Getty Images

Jon: What a statement, and fully deserved. France looked more hungry, quicker to the ball, wanted it more and looked stronger and faster.

Image source, Getty Images

New Zealand captain Sam Cane was a late withdrawal from the side but he was on the pitch after the game to console some of his team-mates.

Image source, Getty Images

Antoine Dupont was not at his sparkling best tonight but he helped his side manage the game in the second half.

The France captain and the rest of the side performed a lap of honour after the game.

The hosts travel to Lille next to face Uruguay.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

When it mattered in the second half, France got it right. They dominated possession in the second half and you felt certain at some point they would come up with something to make the difference. They make very few mistakes.

There were certainly some nervy moments for the French fans in the first half, but they will go home happy.

Image source, Getty Images

France number eight Gregory Alldritt, speaking to ITV: "It was a massive game for our team today and I am proud to be French tonight.

"The support was massive and it is just fantastic to get support like this. We are just looking forward to the next game but we said if we lost today it is not the end of the World cup.

"But we are not champion now so we just have to keep working and go step by step."

Image source, Getty Images

The final score has been confirmed as 27-13.

There was some confusion as to whether Melvyn Jaminet's conversion went over the posts.

One touch official raised his flag but the other did not. It doesn't count and Jaminet is denied an extra two points.

The moment all of France knew they would start their home World Cup with a win...

Image source, Getty Images

France are up and running on home soil.

It wasn't vintage attacking rugby but as the gaps opened up in the second half, the hosts took full advantage.

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is just sometimes just a quiet influence from Antoine Dupont. He was never out of third gear and he was at the centre of everything. He knows he doesn't have to do anything too special tonight.

His time will come.

As we tick towards full-time, here is another stat for you...

France are the only team in World Cup history to have scored 20 or more points against the All Blacks on multiple occasions.

A reminder that New Zealand have never lost a World Cup pool match - they've won all 31 before tonight.

Is that impressive run about to come to an end in Paris?

It is certainly effective.

Every time France get a decision now, they look to the posts, and with a man of Thomas Ramos' ability, you can hardly blame them.

The ball sails over the posts and the lead grows again.

Thomas Ramos is taken out in the air and you can guess what is coming next.

A shot at goal, sil vous plait?