The 2023 Rugby World Cup host nation France play their third Pool A match on Thursday when Namibia provide the opposition in Marseille.
France v Namibia, Thursday 21st September, Marseille, KO 21:00 (South African time)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)
Weather Forecast – Marseille
France:
France made wholesale changes for the clash with Uruguay last week and even though they started as 52.5 point favourites they were made to work much harder than expected before eventually coming out on top 27-12. Les Blues scored 3 tries and conceded 2. Antoine Hastoy crossed in the first half and Peato Mauvaka in the second and it was only when Louis Bielle-Biarrey went over on 73 minutes that victory was sealed.
France took on New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament in Paris. It was billed as the pivotal game of this pool and was priced up as near enough “choice” by the bookmakers but Les Bleus delighted the home crowd with a well deserved 27-13 victory.
Italy, who have 5 log points from 1 match take on Uruguay a day before this game takes place whilst at the time of writing France top this pool with 2 wins and 8 log points and New Zealand have 5 points from their 2 matches. The final pool match for France comes against Italy.
In the latest RWC outright betting France are trading at around 29/10 second favourites to win the tournament with Betway who make them an 11/10 chance to reach the final. Note outright prices are constantly changing.
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Namibia:
The handicap for Namibia's clash with New Zealand last week was around 69.5 points and it proved to be very accurate as the All Blacks romped to a 71-3 victory. Namibia conceded 11 tries and trailed 38-3 at half time in a predictably one sided contest.
Namibia began their campaign against Italy in Saint-Etienne and they were thrashed 52-8, a margin of defeat which was greater than the pre-match handicap which settled at around 33.5 points. Namibia only trailed 17-8 at half time with Gerswin Mouton scoring their first half try but they went on to concede 7 tries in total.
Namibia have yet to win an RWC pool stage match from a total of 24 attempts. They will play Uruguay in their final match and as far as the RWC outright betting is concerned they are currently 0.28/1 with Betway to finish bottom of Pool A.
Team News
France: 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: 15-Andre van den Berg, 14-Gerswin Mouton, 13-Johan Deysel (capt.), 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-Aranos Coetzee, 2-Louis van der Westhuizen, 1-Desiderius Sethie.
Replacements: 16-Obert Nortje, 17-Jason Benade, 18-Haitembu Shikufa, 19-Pieter-Jan van Lil, 20-Richard Hardwick, 21-Oela Blaauw, 22-Alcino Izaacs, 23-Divan Rossouw
The Betting -
Update: 16h55 21 September
France -69.5 points at 9/10
Namibia +69.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
This handicap has been stable but a recent forum post by The Understaker @HanrickSwart has me agreeing it will be moving out as France have named a strong team while Namibia are rotating to give some of their fringe players a run.
Namibia were beaten by 44 points against Italy and by 68 points against New Zealand in wet conditions.
France should be far too strong and can win this one by 70+
Stay close to our forum thread where I will post any points plays on this game
BET: 6 units France -63.5 at 0.89/1 at Boylesports*
*Read why Boylesports is a must have account for rugby punters & CLICK HERE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT @BOYLESPORTS
Update 19 September 17h45
This market moved quickly and is now generally at 67.5 although there is still some 64.5 on offer. I will post another bet on this game on Thursday.
Update 21 September 16h55
The line has stabilised at -69.5 and for those who missed the -63.5 I have another play - full details in this short video preview but I like France to get 11 tries or more against a Namibia side that conceded 11 against the All Blacks and that is surely targeting the Uruguay game next week.
BET: 5 units France over 10.5 tries at 17/20 at Sportingbet*
*If you don’t have a Sportingbet account please use this link to open one
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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