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France hammer Namibia with record victory but concerns over Dupont linger
By Ben Smith
Host nation France maintained their unbeaten start at Rugby World Cup 2023 with a 96-0 win against Namibia at Stade de Marseille on Thursday.
Les Bleus scored 14 tries in total, including a hat-trick for Damian Penaud, who moved third in France’s all-time tryscorers list with his 33rd test touchdown, trailing only Serge Blanco (38) and Vincent Clerc (34).
Centre Jonathan Danty and flanker Charles Ollivon scored two tries apiece, while Thomas Ramos kicked 12 conversions for a personal tally of 24 points.
There was some concern for head coach Fabien Galthié, however, as scrum-half Antoine Dupont was forced to leave the field early in the second half following a head clash with Namibia captain Johan Deysel, who was shown a red card for the collision.
Dupont had been on fire in the first half with three try assists and a try for himself.
After the star scrumhalf left the field France lost their way a little bit before storming home with left winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey getting in on the action with blistering solo run for his second of the night.
Charles Ollivon scored the next down the left side as France ran rampant on that side of the field, closely followed by Melvyn Jaminet who scored another.
A penalty try in the 79th minute gave the hosts the chance to bring up 100-0 but as they attacked out of their 22 the pass spilled over the sideline.
The 96-0 win was a record scoreline and winning margin for France in a Rugby World Cup.
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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