7 Sept - 20 Oct, 2007
France 0-0 Namibia LATEST ACTION (all times BST) To get involved, text us on 81111 (UK users only) or contribute to 606
1959: Stirring anthems as usual. La Marseillaise has to be one of the best game openers in the world. It's got me 'pumped' here in London, goodness knows what it does to the players. 1956: The players take to the field. Despite the criticism the France team has received over the last nine days, they are given a warm reception at the Stade Municipal. There is a good atmosphere and I can't believe they haven't moved Corrie for this. 1952: All eyes will be on Michalak at his former home ground. The fly-half, on his day one of the most creative backs in the world, could nail the 10 jersey if he shines tonight. As good a half-back as he is though, Michalak lets himself down with a very silly tramlined haircut. Oh dear. "France to win comfortably. However, it will be interesting to observe whether they have managed to calm the nerves that they felt during their disastrous opening defeat to the Pumas." From SunDragon2007 on 606 1944: The loss to Argentina on 7 September did not, I repeat not, go down well. The chairman of the French Federation, Bernard Lapasset, told sports daily L'Equipe: "I'm very disappointed, I'm hurt. I have a feeling of betrayal, maybe the word is too strong, a feeling of desertion." So no pressure then lads. 1935: Evening all. Welcome to the text commentary on the final game of what has seemed a very long weekend. France are still reeling from their opening-day disaster against Argentina and need to produce a dominant performance against a team ranked 24 in the world to settle the nerves of a concerned rugby public. Les Bleus take to the field showing 12 changes to the side that lost to the Pumas but in truth, that could have happened anyway with the must-win clash against Ireland looming large on the horizon. Players such as Frederic Michalak, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Julien Bonnaire could force their way into the side for the Irish match should they impress in Toulouse. Namibia produced a spirited performance against Ireland in their opening match and coach Hakkies Husselman has made just two changes to his starting line-up. Jurie van Tonder takes over from Eugene Jantjies at scrum-half and Michael Mackenzie will start at blind-side flanker. The countries have played once before with France winning 47-13 at Bordeaux during the 1999 World Cup. France: Poitrenaud; Clerc, Marty, Traille, Heymans; Michalak, Elissalde; Poux, Szarzewski, de Villiers, Chabal, Nallet, Nyanga, Dusautoir, Bonnaire. Replacements: Ibanez, Mas, Pelous, Harinordoquy, Beauxis, Jauzion, Rougerie. Namibia: Losper; Witbooi, Langenhoven, van Zyl, Bock; Wessels, van Tonder; Lensing (capt), Horn, du Toit, Kazombiaze, Esterhuize, MacKenzie, Burger, Nieuwenhuis. Replacements: Meyer, Redelinghuys, Lindvelt, du Plessis, Jantjies, Botes, Africa.
Source: BBC Sport
No comments:
Post a Comment