Rugby World Cup organisers hoped for a blockbuster opening weekend and they certainly got one, starting with host France's uplifting Friday night win and ending with a huge "what if?" moment in Sunday's classic Wales v Fiji encounter.
"As the first weekend of the tournament comes to a close, the France 2023 Organising Committee would like to thank the French and international fans present across the country who kicked off the 10th Rugby World Cup," the hosts said in a statement on Monday.
"The incredible excitement was felt across all official venues, whether in the stadiums - with more than 220,000 spectators present for the first eight matches - or in the Rugby
Villages, which collectively drew over 140,000 people to watch the opening match.”
