Who are the players to watch at the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

This Friday, France will face New Zealand to open the 2023 World Cup. On paper, it's perhaps one of the best opening games of the Rugby World Cup in recent history – a must-see clash between two genuine rivals that also both happen to be tournament favourites.

In fact, it's shaping up to be one of the tightest RWC ever, with no less than four teams stacking up as genuine favourites to take out the top prize. Between France, Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand, it will be played out in a pinch.

Every moment will count and the difference between the sides is sure to come to individual efforts from key players – those who can bring the X-factor to change the momentum in the big moments. Here are the players to keep yours eyes on in the 2023 World Cup!

Let's not beat around the bush, Antoine Dupont is the best player in the world today. The France team scrum-half has been walking on water for three years and is in the form of his life.

As the captain, he will have to set an example for the Blues, who will try to win their first world title in front of a home crowd. A thrilling and explosive player, he is the one who will lead the French XV to final victory.

If the All Blacks are not at the top at the moment, there is still one player who stands out: Ardie Savea. The New Zealand number 8 is always impeccable, whether in defence or with the ball.

A real motor for the team, he allows the Blacks to advance systematically. Complete, powerful and determined, he is the player to watch for New Zealand.

Forget Handre Pollard, here comes Manie Libbok! At 26 years old, the South African fly-half is the spark in this side, and will also, and above all, be the Springboks' only true fly-half during the competition.

He will therefore have the difficult task of leading South Africa's offensive line. His speed and sense of the game make him a formidable player. He showed it during the Boks' display against New Zealand 35-7 on August 25.

Him again. At 38 years old, Jonathan Sexton is preparing to play his last World Cup with Ireland. Suspended for three matches by the EPCR for misconduct in the European Cup final, he did not play in Ireland's preparation matches.

The fly-half will therefore arrive at the World Cup without solid game time under his belt and Ireland is counting on him to advance, for the first time, to the quarter-final stage. We know that Ireland without Sexton is not the same team.

If there's one team that has dynamite on the wings, it's South Africa. This year the Boks show up with Cheslin Kolbe on one side and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the other.

Aside from the will-o'-the-wisp Kolbe, Arendse will be playing in his first World Cup and will arrive as a superstar after impressive performances this year where he scored in almost every match.

With the injury to Romain Ntamack, Matthieu Jalibert finds himself promoted to the position of fly-half for the France team. The Bordeaux native therefore has responsibility for French fireworks and, at 24, has everything to prove.

Voted best player in the world last year, Josh Van der Flier continues to impress across the Channel. The Irish flanker perfectly represents the values of his team: solidity, solidarity, fight and discipline. He will be the leader of the Irish pack for the competition.

With Owen Farrell suspended for the first two matches of the competition, there is no doubt that Marcus Smith will take over the helm. The 24-year-old Englishman is one of the only shining light the Roses have in the midst of a crisis.

Fresh off a historic win over England at Twickenham, Fiji will arrive full of confidence. To guide them, they will be able to count on the powerful Josua Tuisova, who has been in excellent form at club level with Lyon Olympique.