The 2023 Rugby World Cup continues in Marseille on Thursday as host nation France take on minnows Namibia.
A long weekend of live action follows as South Africa meet Ireland and Wales play Australia, with the pool phase heading towards crunch time.
But the Stade Velodrome is the centre of attention for this one, as the hosts expect to take a major step towards the knockouts.
France vs Namibia – Pool A
France have Namibia in their sights as they look to make it three from three at their home 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Les Bleus underwhelmed in Lille last weekend as their much-changed side was pushed all the way by underdogs Uruguay.
The host nation came through 27-12 in front of a bewildered crowd in the north of the country, but it was far from a done deal until the latter stages of the contest.
It was a stark contrast from the first choice French side’s outing on the opening night of the competition, where they beat the New Zealand All Blacks by 27-13.
But the sum total is two wins from two for coach Fabien Galthie and his whole squad, with a spot in the quarter-finals well within their grasp.
Namibia are already on the ropes having been dealt a pair of massive defeats.
They would have hoped to have pushed Italy much closer on the opening weekend, instead subsiding to a 52-8 loss.
A 71-3 defeat to the All Blacks followed, with poor Le Roux Malan suffering a broken and dislocated ankle in the process.
He’s on the mend in a French hospital, but don’t expect the southern African nation to pull off a comparable recovery against one of the favourites to lift the trophy next month.
Coach Galthie has made 12 changes for the occasion, with a host of star names including captain Antoine Dupont and Damian Penaud back in the mix.
Jonathan Danty is in at inside centre for a maiden World Cup appearance, with Cameron Woki, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Anthony Jelonch the trio retained from last week’s outing.
Namibia coach Allister Coetzee has made nine changes of his own as he searches for the winning, or at least competent, formula.
Cliven Loubser, Gerswin Mouton, Johan Retief, Johan Coetzee, Prince Gaoseb and captain Johan Deysel keep their places from their battering last time out.
France Starting XV: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Baptiste Couilloud, 22 Yoram Moefana, 23 Melvyn Jaminet.
Namibia Starting XV: 15 Andre van der Bergh, 14 Gerswin Mouton, 13 Johan Deysel (captain), 12 Danco Burger, 11 JC Greyling, 10 Cliven Loubser, 9 Jacques Theron, 8 Prince Gaoseb, 7 Johan Retief, 6 Max Katjijeko, 5 Adriaan Ludick, 4 Mahepisa Tjeriko, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Desiderius Sethie.
Replacements: 16 Obert Nortje, 17 Jason Benade, 18 Haitembu Shifuka, 19 PJ Van Lill, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Oela Blaauw, 22 Alcino Izaacs, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Kick Off Time: 21.00.
RWC 2023: Margin and winner predictions for 20 – 24 September
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds or RugbyVision’s data model. Score margins use the methodology developed by Rugby Vision and Rugby4Cast.
| Team 1 | Win % 1 | Win % 2 | Team 2 | Predicted margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 94.0% | 6.0% | Uruguay | 23 |
| France | 99.9% | 0.1% | Namibia | 58 |
| Argentina | 86.5% | 13.5% | Samoa | 15 |
| Georgia | 79.5% | 20.5% | Portugal | 11 |
| England | 99.1% | 0.9% | Chile | 39 |
| South Africa | 61.9% | 38.1% | Ireland | 4 |
| Scotland | 96.7% | 3.3% | Tonga | 28 |
| Wales | 38.8% | 61.2% | Australia | -4 |