France vs Namibia Predictions: Rugby World Cup Betting Tips, News, Lineups
France can make certain of qualification with a bonus point victory over African minnows Namibia in their third World Cup match of the tournament.
The French team opened the tournament with a statement victory over New Zealand before a heavily rotated team struggled past Uruguay in the second weekend. Namibia have conceded 52 points to Italy and 71 to New Zealand in their first two matches.
France vs Namibia Betting Tips
- France -67 Handicap @ 10/11 with Bet365
- Damian Penaud First Tryscorer @ 6/1 with William Hill
- Highest Scoring Half – Second Half @ 4/5 with PaddyPower
- More bets to come when team news is announced
French first team to turn on the style
The perceived wisdom is that Fabien Galthie is going to return to a strong first XV for this match to try and regain some momentum that was lost slightly with their struggle to put away Uruguay in the last Rugby World Cup match.
If this is the case then a strong French team should easily be able to eclipse the New Zealand’s 71-3 win over Namibia on Friday.
Not only will the quality of the French team be greater than the All Blacks team that took to the field that day, but also, they will be motivated to play as they set out to light a fire under their World Cup campaign.
Tip: France -67 Handicap @ 10/11 with Bet365
Record to be broken early
Damian Penaud is on the verge of history. He has scored a try in five matches in a row for Les Bleus, one more in this match and the winger will write himself into the record books with another try here.
He is a ridiculously short price to get at least one try, indeed he is only just over even money for a hat-trick, but William Hill have overpriced him to get the first one in the inevitable landslide.
Tip: Damian Penaud First Tryscorer @ 6/1 with William Hill
Floodgates to open in the second 40
Both of France’s World Cup matches so far have been more points scored in the second half. Three out of four of the World Cup warm-up matches of France’s also had this trait.
It also feels like the natural way of things in this type of match that the minnows are able to hold the bigger team at bay somewhat with their first XV but when tiredness and the replacements bench is called upon that the score can get away from them.
Tip: Highest Scoring Half – Second Half @ 4/5 with PaddyPower
France vs Namibia 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 (c), 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
