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. France strike firstpublished at 20:09 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France 5-0 Namibia

    Tom May
    Ex-Newcastle centre on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Brilliant patience from the French forwards, you cannot leave Antoine Dupont with time on the ball.

    Namibia defence held off, Dupont then just knocked a brilliant ball over the top and Damian Penaud had lovely width.

  2. try

    Try - France 5-0 Namibiapublished at 7 mins

    Damian Penaud

    That man again.

    France originally got in position from Uini Atonio's turnover, from the resulting maul, Antoine Dupont demands the ball and sends a cross-field kick to Damian Penaud.

    That was magic!

    Damian Penaud of France dives in the cornerImage source, Getty Images
  3. The French in fine voice tonightpublished at 20:05 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France 0-0 Namibia

    Tom May
    Ex-Newcastle centre on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    You talk about the supporters, it is interesting to see this team evolve. We have not seen the French fanbase turn on their team as much as in the past and it is definitely helping them as a unit.

  4. Postpublished at 4 mins

    France 0-0 Namibia

    The atmosphere is electric in Marseille, but there have been a few early errors from France, as hooker Peato Mauvaka can't throw it straight at the line-out.

    Peato Mauvaka takes the ball into contactImage source, Reuters
  5. Kick-offpublished at 20:00 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France 0-0 Namibia

    We are under way in Marseille, it is loud!

  6. Listen livepublished at 19:58 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France v Namibia (20:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Remember, you can listen to live radio commentary of this match - and indeed every match at this Rugby World Cup - on BBC Radio 5 Live, Radio 5 Sports Extra or here on the BBC Sport website and app.

  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:57 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

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

    France so far, a bit average if you ask me. Yes they beat the All Blacks, but they aren't the team they were so that's not such a big thing. They've not really been tested and won't be tonight. Need to see more.

    Chris

  8. Ntamack supports from the touchlinepublished at 19:54 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France v Namibia (20:00 BST)

    France's injured fly-half Romain Ntamack is in the house tonight.

    Ntamack was ruled out of a home Rugby World Cup because of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

    The 24-year-old injured his left knee in Les Bleus' 30-27 World Cup warm-up win over Scotland.

    France's injured fly-half Romain Ntamack looks on from the touchlineImage source, Getty Images
  9. Penaud eyes try recordpublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France v Namibia (20:00 BST)

    Damian Penaud is France’s leading try scorer this season with nine, and is looking to become the first Frenchman to score 10 tries in a calendar year since Phillipe Saint-Andre in 1995.

    Can he beat his record of 12 tries this World Cup?

    Damian PenaudImage source, Getty Images
  10. The last meetingpublished at 19:48 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France v Namibia (20:00 BST)

    We have to go back to the Rugby World Cup in 2007 when these teams last met.

    France came out on top beating Namibia 87-10.

    Yannick Nyanga of France in action during the matchImage source, Getty Images
    Jacques Burger of Namibia wins a line out against Julien BonnaireImage source, Getty Images
    Frederic Michalak of France is tackled by Lu-Wayne Botes of NamibiaImage source, Getty Images
  11. Undefeated Dupontpublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France v Namibia (20:00 BST)

    Antoine Dupont is yet to lose a match on home soil when captaining France.

    His current record reads 13 wins out of 13.

    Antoine DupontImage source, Getty Images
  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    #bbcrugby or text 81111 (UK only - texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

    How do we rate France so far this World Cup?

    Home advantage and favourites? Or do you need to see more from them?

  13. The standingspublished at 19:39 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France v Namibia (20:00 BST)

    France may have won their first two games against New Zealand and Uruguay but it is Italy who sit top of Pool A.

    Yes Italy still have the big two to come, but France may feel a bonus-point win tonight is long overdue.

    Pool A standings
  14. Galthie uses 'Darwin's theory' for selectionpublished at 19:36 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France v Namibia (20:00 BST)

    France head coach Fabien Galthie has said "adaptability" is key to his team selections as he attempts to steer the hosts to Rugby World Cup success.

    After beating New Zealand in the tournament's opening game, Galthie made 12 changes for the win against Uruguay.

    A further 12 alterations have been made for the game against Namibia.

    "Our method is based on adaptability. We adapt according to deadlines. It's Darwin's theory - the most intelligent species adapts," said Galthie.

    "We hear a lot of talk about team compositions. It's important to remember that we compose our teams on a weekly basis.

    "We have a vision of the preparation, rotation, we look at performances, we need everyone."

    Fabien GalthieImage source, Getty Images
  15. Team newspublished at 19:33 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France v Namibia (20:00 BST)

    Antoie Dupont arrives at the Stade de FranceImage source, Getty Images

    France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarry; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio; Woki, Flament; Cros, Ollivon, Jelonch.

    Replacements: Bourgarit, Wardi, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Boudehent, Couilloud, Moefana, Jaminet.

    Namibia: Van der Bergh; Mouton, Deysel (capt), Burger, Greyling; Loubser, Theron; Sethie, Van der Westhuizen, Coetzee, Tjeriko, Ludick, Katjijeko, Retief, Gaoseb.

    Replacements: Nortje, Benade, Shifuka, Van Lill, Hardwick, Blaauw, Izaacs, Rossouw.

  16. Tour of France continuespublished at 19:30 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    France v Namibia (20:00 BST)

    From Paris to Lille and now Marseille.

    The French are winning everywhere in their home World Cup.

    Up next is Namibia, who have never won a match at a World Cup, since their debut in 1999.

    France rugby fansImage source, Getty Images