Summary

  • France score 14 tries to record their best-ever World Cup win

  • France captain Antoine Dupont leaves stadium to undergo tests on head injury

  • Namibia's Johan Deysel sent off for head-on-head tackle on Dupont

  • Damian Penaud scores hat-trick in Marseille

  • France go top of Pool A with third win

  1. Thanks all!published at 22:28 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    That was 14 of the best tries you will see tonight from France but the nation will nervously wait to hear about Antoine Dupont's injury.

    Read more from the report here.

    Next on the agenda is Argentina against Samoa tomorrow with kick-off at 16:45 BST.

    The rugby is only beginning this weekend!

    BailleImage source, Getty Images
  2. Postpublished at 22:25 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    Despite conceding 96 points there are still some Namibian smiles.

    Namibian smiles.Image source, Getty Images
  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:21 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    What a great game from France, if they keep playing like tonight's performance, there's no doubt they will win the World Cup.

    Jamie

  4. 'We feel sorry for Dupont'published at 22:18 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    France general team manager Raphael Ibanez, speaking on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra: "We have many reasons to have a smile on our face tonight as we scored a lot of decent tries."

    On Dupont injury: "We feel sorry for Antoine. He got a big hit on his face, but we will do some exams to make sure nothing is wrong for him - but he is a strong guy."

    On the crowd: "You can hear how noisy it is, we have got to leave with that energy, it is fantastic for our team and hopefully we keep on going."

    Antoine Dupont of France leaves the field dejectedImage source, Getty Images
  5. 'A little bit humiliating'published at 22:13 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    Namibian head coach Allister Coetzee, speaking on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra: "It was a tough night at the office, a little bit humiliating.

    "The youngsters need experience and I could see the first 20 minutes the boys were a little bit flustered and not sticking to the plan and that is just the pressure.

    "Our objective is still alive and that is to win one game at the World Cup.

    "The French skillset was superb tonight, you can see when they play with a full strength side, there is a lot of good rugby."

    On the red card: "A pity about our captain who got the red card, that was crucial for us."

    Allister Coetzee on the pitch before the gameImage source, Getty Images
  6. New record for Francepublished at 22:10 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    Poor Namibia, it beats the 87-10 win for France at the 2007 Rugby World Cup over Namibia.

    96-0Image source, Getty Images
  7. 'We felt a lot of pleasure tonight'published at 22:07 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    France flanker Charles Ollivon, speaking on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra: "This stadium is incredible, the atmosphere is amazing - so yes we felt a lot of pleasure tonight.

    "The goal was to play collectively and the target was to do good for ourselves, to play our own game and to also enjoy the moment.

    "You see the fans, the feeling to play here is incredible."

    France celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  8. 'We got out-muscled by a quality side'published at 22:03 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    Namibia vice-captain Louis van der Westhuizen, speaking on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra: "It is obviously a disappointing result for us, the red card did not go in our favour. But we got out-muscled by a quality side.

    "We have lot of local boys playing from Namibia so to play on a world stage like this is massive. We take this as a learning curve and hopefully we are better next time."

  9. What is next?published at 22:00 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    That is three wins on the bounce in Pool A for France, with their final game against Italy on 6 October.

    For Namibia their next game is against Uruguay on Wednesday.

    Pool A
  10. 'Fairly predictable result'published at 21:57 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    Tom May
    Ex-Newcastle and Toulon centre on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Fairly predictable result, but some outstanding performances from the French, the likes of Penaud, Ramos and Danty. Really difficult task to concentrate against opposition like Namibia.

    When Namibia come up against the best it is almost an uphill battle you cannot manage.

  11. Dupont injured?published at 21:54 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: France 96-0 Namibia

    The only negative for France tonight was Antoine Dupont not returning after his knock to the head. He looked distraught walking down the tunnel touching his cheek.

    All of France will be worried I am sure.

  12. Full-time - France 96-0 Namibiapublished at 21:51 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Not 100, but very close...

    France fansImage source, Getty Images
  13. try

    Try - France 96-0 Namibiapublished at 80 mins

    Penalty try

    The maul is collapsed illegally and Jason Benade is sent to the sin-bin.

  14. try

    Converted try - France 89-0 Namibiapublished at 76 mins

    Melvyn Jaminet (con Thomas Ramos)

    Gael Fickou with some soft hands and Melvyn Jaminet has his try this time.

    Not mentioned Fickou much tonight, but he has been very impressive.

    Jaminet smiles has he scores a tryImage source, Getty Images
  15. Postpublished at 72 mins

    France 82-0 Namibia

    Damian Penaud with yet another clean break, he is in the conversation for the best player on the planet surely?

  16. 'Rossouw bought the dummy'published at 21:40 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France 82-0 Namibia

    Tom May
    Ex-Newcastle and Toulon centre on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Damian Penaud not being greedy just passing to Charles Ollivon.

    Ollivon just demonstrated what holding the ball in two hands can do, it means the defender has to make a decision.

    Divan Rossouw bought the dummy, Ollivon might be wearing the number seven shirt but he can shift.

    Charles Ollivon of France makes a break toscore the team's twelfth tryImage source, Getty Images
  17. try

    Converted try - France 82-0 Namibiapublished at 68 mins

    Charles Ollivon (con Thomas Ramos)

    That was France's 200th World Cup try.

    Charles Ollivon could have gave Louis Bielle-Biarrey his hat-trick but instead shows the dummy and goes over.

    Thomas Ramos does not miss from the tee - he has been untouchable today with the boot.

    Charles Ollivon slides over for another tryImage source, Getty Images
  18. 'Bielle-Biarrey has gone around everyone'published at 21:36 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France 75-0 Namibia

    Tom May
    Ex-Newcastle and Toulon centre on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Bielle-Biarrey has run about two kilometres! He has gone around everyone, from one side of the pitch to the other.

    He was so tired he couldn't even dive properly.

  19. try

    Converted try - France 75-0 Namibiapublished at 65 mins

    Louis Bielle-Biarrey (con Thomas Ramos)

    Pure gas!

    Damian Penaud sends his fellow winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey away down the wing. He turns on the afterburners to glide around the full-back from 50 metres out.

    He is still only 20!

    Louis Bielle-Biarrey of France scores the team's eleventh tryImage source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 62 mins

    France 68-0 Namibia

    Nope! France win a penalty and clear their lines. Into the last quarter now.