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Rugby Union

France hammer Namibia

16/09/2007

France got their Rugby World Cup campaign back on track after demolishing Namibia 87-10 in Toulouse.

The hosts recovered from their shock defeat to Argentina on the opening night of the tournament by scoring 13 tries.

Despite making 12 changes to the side that lost to the Pumas, Les Bleus were led by a hat-trick from Vincent Clerc.

Sebastian Chabal and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde both scored two tries apiece with the skipper also kicking 11 conversions.

Bernard Laporte's side eased their nerves on seven minutes when they punished a poor Namibian clearance with centre David Marty setting-up Cedric Haymans to touch down.

Three minutes later, Namibia ventured into the French half with star man Emile Wessels slotting over a drop goal to make the score 5-3.

Les Bleus scored their second try on 11 minutes when Marty bundled over from seven metres out.

Midway through the half, France went 19-3 ahead when Thierry Dusautoir forced over the line after France were awarded a penalty.

Namibia's hopes of a respectable scoreline were destroyed on 19 minutes when Jacques Nieuwenhuis was harshly red-carded for a high tackle.

The hosts sealed a bonus point eight minutes before the break after Damien Traille led the breakaway and released lock Lionel Nallet to score.

Vincent Clerc and Nallet went over again in the closing stages of the half to give Laporte's men a formidable 40-3 lead at the break.

France continued their dominance after the interval with Julien Bonnaire touching down after Namibia failed to deal with the scrum on 47 minutes.

Two minutes later, man-mountain Chabal finished off a sweeping move to take the score to 61-3.

Les Bleus were threatening a cricket score with skipper Elissalde scoring two individual tries in the space of four minutes.

Toulouse ace Clerc then notched his second try on 59 minutes after a sublime inside pass from Frederic Michalak.

Fifteen minutes from time, France scored again when Clerc crashed over which had to be confirmed by the video replay.

In the final five minutes, hooker Raphael Ibanez bundled over the line to complete the rout.

But Namibia enjoyed the last try with centre Bradley Langenhoven running the length of the field to touch down.