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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.
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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.
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The 96-0 win was a record scoreline and winning margin for France in a Rugby World Cup.
you gotta question the wisdom of playing high-value front-line players against minnows particularly when the result is a forgone conclusion
It looks like they were:
1. Putting on a show for their home crowd.
2. Assuring they have a large points differential up their sleeves if they have an opportunity to enable Italy to come second in their group and eliminate the arch-nemesis AB’s
Looked like Du Pont's jaw took a heavy knock. I really hope its not broken.
Broken cheekbone I expect, his tears told the story. Shame if he’s out, he makes a real difference.