France v Namibia

France coach Fabien Galthié is not taking any risks with this match, making 12 changes to the side that struggled to get the better of a spirited Uruguay last Thursday.

He’s selected a strong 23 for this match, including Cyril Baille and Jonathan Danty who are both eager for game time on their return from injury, and Antoine Dupont, who has yet to lose a match at home since taking over as captain. Only Cameron Woki, Louis Bielle Biarry, and Anthony Jelonch retain their spots in the starting line-up from Lille – and the latter would have moved to the flank but for a slight injury concern over Grégory Alldritt.

The Welwitschias, meanwhile, have conceded 123 points and 18 tries in their two matches to date at Rugby World Cup 2023, managing only one try and 11 points of their own in reply.

• FIXTURE: France v Namibia
• GROUND: Stade de Marseille (67,847)
• KICK-OFF: 21:00 local time (GMT+2)

FIXTURE HISTORY

Current France team manager Raphaël Ibañez will maintain an unlikely record when the match kicks off in Marseille.

He was captain in 1999, when France played Namibia for the first time, and he was on the bench for their second meeting eight years later, at Toulouse – when Vincent Clerc scored a hat-trick in an 87-10 victory.

Although he’s not involved directly on the pitch this time, France 2023 continues his run of being involved in every match between the two sides over a 24-year period.

MEMORABLE MATCH

As well as the 2007 match in Toulouse, France and Namibia met at RWC 1999 in Bordeaux. As well as Ibañez’s involvement, current Toulouse manager Ugo Mola scored a hat-trick from full-back. Former France coach Marc Lievrement started in the back-row, and Romain Ntamack’s father Emile was on the wing.

KEY TALKING POINT

Les Bleus’ squad for this match. Squad rotation is very much the name of the game here, but Galthié and France expected a convincing, bonus-point win over Uruguay in Lille. What unfolded was not convincing, nor did it come with a try-scoring bonus.

That means, although France still hold their Rugby World Cup destiny in their hands, suddenly there’s no room for error in their final two matches, here against Namibia, or against Italy in Lyon on 6 October.

All of which, in turn, explain that France squad. They could do with points, and they have a good-sized break ahead of their next match.

PLAYER HEAD-TO-HEAD

Gaël Fickou v Johan Deysel. Two experienced no-backward-step centres go head to head in the middle of the pitch in Marseille.

STATS-AMAZING

In losing 58-14 to New Zealand in their opening game at RWC 2015, Namibia – a nation still looking for their first tournament win after 24 matches to date – brought up the unwanted record of conceding 1,000 points at Rugby World Cups. Only four other teams have done so: USA, Canada, Romania and Japan.

REF WATCH

Matthew Carley (England). This is Carley’s second match as a Rugby World Cup referee after being a reserve at the tournament in Japan four years ago. His first match was the epic encounter between Wales and Fiji in Bordeaux on the first weekend of the competition.

TEAMS

FRANCE Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gaël Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (captain); Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio; Cameron Woki, Thibaud Flament; François Cros, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch

Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Reda Wardi, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Boudehent, Baptiste Couilloud, Yoram Moefana, Melvyn Jaminet

NAMIBIA Andre van der Bergh; Gerswin Mouton, Johan Deysel (captain), Danco Burger, JC Greyling; Cliven Loubser, Jacques Theron; Desiderius Sethie, Louis van der Westhuizen, Johan Coetzee; Mahepisa Tjeriko, Adriaan Ludick; Max Katjijeko, Johan Retief, Prince Gaoseb

Replacements: Obert Nortje, Jason Benade, Haitembu Shifuka, PJ Van Lill, Richard Hardwick, Oela Blaauw, Alcino Izaacs, Divan Rossouw

Allister Coetzee, head coach

On his team selection:

“It’s important to give every player coming to a World Cup an opportunity to play. Our whole mindset was building towards the last game and see what the players can offer and get to our best possible team for the last game.

“It’s a great experience for a lot of youngsters and players playing in their first World Cup.

“That is one of our objectives, to make sure we grow depth in our squad, especially against tier-one nations. We don’t have the opportunity to play against tier-one nations on a regular basis so it’s important for us.”

On the team France have selected:

“The French have selected their best team, which is a great test for our players. Dupont, we always watch him on television, and it will be Jacques Theron playing against him so it’s a brilliant opportunity and a nice challenge for him.

“It will take the players to the next level and hopefully we can get the best out of each and every player.”

On his thoughts about the New Zealand game:

“The plan was actually right. I can substantiate that by saying we had 12 opportunities in their 22. I compare how many opportunities the French had [against New Zealand] – only seven. So we must be doing something right.

“There are moment of brilliance and progression and it’s a matter of taking those opportunities. From the 12 we only converted three into points and pressure.

“Hopefully we can execute and finish off better this week.”

On the difficulties faced by Namibia:

“We are a completely amateur union. We rely on club players back home, the local boys, and then we’ve got about 18 players playing in different leagues all over the world. So just from a strength and conditioning point of view, they’ve supplied us with new equipment coming to the World Cup.

“We have had a full-time physio employed, as head coach I’m full-time as well. Of late we’ve got an analyst with us and a nutritionist. We’re very thankful for that, because as a nation of 2.6 million, finances would always be a challenge.

“The next step is to make sure we get good competition and play tier-one nations on a more regular basis.

“I don’t think people realise the challenges that Namibian rugby players must go through. There’s less than a thousand registered rugby players. These guys work full time. Some players had to quit their jobs to be here, to play in a World Cup. Some guys are travelling five hours just to go to a training session and five hours back.

“That is what the people back home realise and understand. When these players come here it’s really not always about the result but it’s the fight they show and they never die, they keep fighting.”

On how Fiji have benefited from having a team in Super Rugby:

“Fiji had to start somewhere, and what you see now is a result of continuous support over the years. We hope also to build a franchise like Chile is doing at the moment, and Uruguay playing in the SRA (Super Rugby Americas) competition, where the players are franchised.

“With Fiji it’s really a fairytale to see how those guys have improved at set-piece, which is purely a strength and conditioning thing and with resources in coaching.

“That, I would say, is the way forward for a team like Namibia as well.”

On whether he would support a tournament change where teams who don’t progress to the quarter-finals of a Rugby World Cup would play for a separate shield after the group stage:

“We’d support anything really, just to play on the international stage.

“You want to develop the game, and you want strength versus strength. I don’t know how they’re going to structure it because it is important to develop the game – that’s one of World Rugby’s primary objectives.”

Johan Deysel, captain

On having the support of Namibia as well as the local fans:

“We’ve got a lot of backing from Namibia. Everyone is supporting us, you can see it on social media. Even in the stadiums, there’s a few families that came over.

“This weekend against New Zealand, the crowds were behind us when we went for touch instead of poles. They like the challenge that we take on.”

On whether they will maintain that attacking mindset:

“We’re not going to reach anything if we kick for poles. We’re going for touch and we’re going to try to score tries. That’s what rugby’s about, that’s the fun part of it and that’s what the crowd likes. We’ll certainly go for touch again, we won’t back out.”

On Anton Lienert-Brown visiting Le Roux Malan in hospital:

“It’s incredible. After the match we had a chat with all of them and swapped jerseys – incredible blokes.

“For Anton to pay him a visit is amazing and everyone in the world could see that. Hopefully that’s something that can rub off on every team; to look out for one another.

“If the biggest teams in the world do that to tier-two teams, pay them a visit, it means a lot. We certainly learned from that as a team as well, so all credit to the All Blacks for being such humble guys.”

Jacques Theron, scrum-half

On going up against Antoine Dupont:

“It’s my first start for Namibia so I’m massively excited to show what I can do and what’s in me. Playing against Dupont, one of the world’s biggest rugby names right now, is going to be a lot of fun and I know I can learn a lot from him, so I’m very excited for the challenge.

“If I can take one thing from him, or have a one-on-one session where he could teach me something, it would probably be his vision. He’s got excellent vision playing the game. As a scrum-half that’s one of the most important parts you need, so if by any chance he can give me some of that, that would be awesome.”

Adriaan Ludik, second-row

On the prospect of facing the French forwards:

“I’m really excited for that because that’s how you measure yourself.

“I’m an enforcer, they have enforcers, so we’ll see on Thursday night who wins the battle.”

Louis van der Westhuizen, hooker

On the weather in France:

“It’s hot for us gingers.”

On starting the game:

“Every time you get an opportunity, either from the bench or starting, it’s an opportunity to prove yourself – not only to the coaches but to other clubs as well.

“We have good competition between the hookers, and it’s nice because it makes you grow as a person and a player.”

JC Greyling, left wing

On facing Damian Penaud:

“He’s a very good finisher. I think he’s top three now in the French top try scorers.

“I see myself as a good finisher as well. It’s definitely going to be a race and hopefully I can win that race.”