Well played by Namibia, as a grubber kick puts Italy under pressure and Damian Stevens chases his own kick down to force a penalty just a few metres out.

A knock on from Marco Riccioni, one of several Italian replacements on the field, gives Namibia a chance to build something.

There has been a regular stream of subs in this game, both sides trying to keep their players fit and hydrated in the blistering heat.

That try could change the entire tenor of this match. Instead of being about Namibia hanging on the Italian coat tails, it is now about Italy seeking a bonus point and getting tries on the board.

A chance here for Italy, after Namibia are penalised for collapsing the maul.

They get a line-out near the Namibian try line.

Paolo Garbisi juggles the ball one, two, three times from a Namibian kick, but crucially does not drop the up and under.

Italy need to settle themselves in this half, and sharpish.

Italy start the half by giving away a penalty, then Sebastian Negri getting a telling off from the ref after speaking out of turn.

Not a great tone setter.

Anon: Came down with Covid on Thursday so am in 'covid jail' at home. Had to improvise with a monitor, a firestick and a Bluetooth speaker to enable me to have an all day rugbyfest!

Image source, Anon

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Second half under way.

Listen to live radio commentary via the audio icon at the top of this page.

Here come the players for the second half.

Will Italy improve, or can Namibia cause an almighty upset?

It is finely poised.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

Image source, Reuters

England's players started the week in the remote calm of Le Touquet, cocooned from the pressure that is mounting on the team.

They end the week in the eye of the storm.

There is no respite in bustling Marseille, a place which exudes World Cup history. Anyone who was here in 2007 will never forget it, least of all the legions of England fans who watched their side upset the odds against Australia and improbably reach the semi-finals.

These England players went out for a coffee in town on Friday. Surrounded by the yachts of the Vieux Port, they find themselves in a similar boat 16 years on. Both sides were written off before their showdowns in the Velodrome.

However, the 2007 vintage had at least navigated the pool stage - albeit via a 36-0 loss in the process. The 2023 crop will need to arrest their slide to even manage that.

Read more from Chris before England's Rugby World Cup opener here.

Ireland, top of the world rankings, get their Rugby World Cup under way against Romania in a couple of hours' time.

Captain Johnny Sexton will retire when the tournament concludes. He has not played since the Six Nations because of injury and suspension, but is back to lead the side today.

The 38-year-old was asked if he has adjusted his kicking sessions since having groin surgery.

"I haven't changed much," he said. "The early stages, I had to be very careful on the back of the surgeon's advice, just making sure I built into it, but over the last month I've been able to practice a good bit and trying to keep it little and often really.

"Trying to do bits every day, even on a day off today, trying to get down for 20 minutes and do a little bit and then move on.

"I'm very happy with where I'm at, obviously going into a game a little bit different but hopefully I can lean back on experiences from before."

Read more about Ireland's Rugby World Cup opener here.

Image source, Getty Images

Let's take a look ahead to those games later this afternoon, starting with the number one team in the world...

A reminder of the matches to come later today - you can listen to all of these games live and follow live text coverage on the BBC Sport website:

• Ireland v Romania (14:30 BST)
• Australia v Georgia (17:00 BST)
• England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

It looked, when Italy racked up two converted tries in a matter of minutes, that they were going to ease to a comfortable opening win and save their energy for meetings with France and New Zealand to come.

But Namibia have proven undaunted and full of fighting spirit, scoring a quite beautiful try. They are very much in this game.

Image source, Reuters

Italy lead by nine points at the break. All to play for.

Swanepoel has the power and distance, but not the accuracy.

Well off target, and the points gap remains at nine.

An obstruction by Italy hands a penalty to Namibia near the half-way line.

Tiaan Swanepoel is going to kick for goal...

Italy try to build their way to a third try, but a loose pass is well intercepted by Gerswin Mouton.

Just isn't happening for the Europeans.

Ooh, a handling error in the Italian back line looks like it has let Namibia in - however the referee calls it back for a foul by the Africans in the scrum.