Thursday 21 September 2023

France seal record-breaking win over Namibia as Damian Penaud dazzles

France put on a masterclass of attacking rugby as they thumped Namibia 96-0 in Marseille, scoring 14 tries in a ruthless Rugby World Cup win on Thursday.

It was a record victory for Les Bleus as they cruised to a bonus-point success, with 54 points racked up in the opening half and 42 in a second in a canter.

Damian Penaud (3), Jonathan Danty (2), Charles Ollivon (2), Thibaud Flament, Antoine Dupont, Louis Bielle-Biarrey (2), Baptiste Couilloud and Melvyn Jaminet crossed on a fruitful night for Fabien Galthie's men, with a penalty try also awarded in the final minute to rubber stamp their biggest ever World Cup win.

However, there is concern over star player Dupont, who reportedly suffered a concussion and been taken to hospital for scans on an injured cheekbone.

The first half was an incredible spectacle as Les Bleus cut loose, scoring eight tries as Namibia couldn't live with the tempo and skill the hosts possessed.

France opened their account as early as the sixth minute when from an attacking lineout, Dupont's cross-kick found Penaud who finished for a 5-0 lead.

The gap became 12 points three minutes later when a chip over the top saw Bielle-Biarrey send a lovely inside ball to Danty who dotted down on the left.

Danty would cross for his second try before the half-hour mark but not before Penaud grabbed his own brace and Ollivon finished off a slick team score.

France were not done and in fact seemed to increase the tempo as the half moved towards its end, with Thomas Ramos converting a further three tries.

The first came via lock Flament after number eight Anthony Jelonch put him clean through from 20 metres out before Penaud set up Dupont as the pair cut loose.  Closing out the half would be Bielle-Biarrey's first try of the evening as Dupont's boot came to the fore again, finding his wing with his left foot for a 54-0 cushion.

Namibia's night would get worse after the interval when they had an intercept try from Divan Rossouw chalked off before Johan Deysel was red carded after review, with his head on head contact with Dupont seeing Couilloud come on and grab his chance with both hands, wasting no time at all in getting on the try sheet.

Couilloud was denied a second shortly after due to an off-the-ball tackle before wing Penaud picked up his hat-trick on 55 minutes to make it a 68-0 lead.

Bielle-Biarrey would then sprint clear across into the right corner for arguably the try of the match before and Ollivon then dummied before going over.

Namibia were cut open again by more quick French passing eight minutes later, with Jaminet showing his speed to surge clear with Ramos' conversion bringing up a new record score, passing the 87-10 win over the same opponents at the 2007 World Cup.

France were awarded a late penalty try after a maul collapsed, with Jason Benade sent to the sin-bin to compound a forgettable evening for Namibia as the partisan Marseille crowd revelled at the final whistle whilst also holding their breath over Dupont.


The teams

France:  15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gaël Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 François Cros, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements:  16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Baptiste Couilloud, 22 Yoram Moefana, 23 Melvyn Jaminet

Namibia:  15 Andre van der Bergh, 14 Gerswin Mouton, 13 Johan Deysel (c), 12 Danco Burger, 11 JC Greyling, 10 Cliven Loubser, 9 Jacques Theron, 8 Prince Gaoseb, 7 Johan Retief, 6 Max Katjijeko, 5 Adriaan Ludick, 4 Mahepisa Tjeriko, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Desiderius Sethie
Replacements:  16 Obert Nortje, 17 Jason Benade, 18 Haitembu Shifuka, 19 PJ Van Lill, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Oela Blaauw, 22 Alcino Izaacs, 23 Divan Rossouw

Referee:  Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees:  Andrew Brace (IRFU), Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO:  Joy Neville (IRFU)

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