Quietly confident

Struggling France expected to roll over Namibia

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Posted: Thursday October 07, 1999 11:18 AM

France will play Christophe Lamaison (left) in place of Thomas Castaignede. Allsport/Allsport

BORDEAUX, France (AP) -- Even with France struggling for form, Friday's Group C clash against Namibia's part-timers has all the makings of another World Cup mismatch.

Of ten World Cup matches, six have been won by 30 points or more. France will be disappointed if it fails to rack up a victory in the range of England's 67-7 demolition of Italy, the largest winning margin so far.

In its opening match, a 33-20 win against Canada on Saturday, France needed a second-half comeback to ensure only its third win in nine international matches after an amazing slide from the pinnacle of European rugby.

France wants to use what should be a far easier contest against Namibia to rest players and experiment, without losing cohesion.

"The team should tick over against Namibia," said team manager Jo Maso. "In one way we have to keep consistency and a solid base but on the other hand we need to keep the team alive by making sure everyone contributes."

Coach Jean-Claude Skrela is forced into one change against the World Cup newcomer.

Inspirational flyhalf Thomas Castaignede injured his left thigh in a sprinting session and is ruled out.

Worryingly for the French, Castaignede suffered the same injury in France's ill-fated summer tour of New Zealand and the south Pacific.

The extent of his injury won't be clear till Thursday at the earliest, said team officials.

Christophe Lamaison is Castaignede's replacement and Skrela announced four other changes, including two on the wing.

Emile Ntamack, who made an impressive appearance as a replacement against Canada, and Philippe Bernat-Salles come in for Xavier Garbajosa and Christophe Dominici.

Thomas Lievremont replaces Christophe Juillet at No. 8, while second-row forward Abdel Benazzimakes way for Olivier Brouzet.

Lamaison, a key figure in France's back-to-back Grand Slams in 1997 and 1998, hasn't played at flyhalf for France for three years, though he has always maintained it is his best position.

One of the best kickers in the game, Lamaison has normally had to move to center to make way for Castaignede's mercurial talents.

But Skrela wasn't happy with France's kicking against Canada and sent on Lamaison midway through the second half, moving Castaignede to full back.

"We were not kicking well and I had to put that right by sending on Christophe," Skrela said. "He fulfilled that objective."

"It is really satisfying," Lamaison said. "I don't want to give the impression that one person's misfortune makes another player happy but I think that I still have something to prove."

Though they are in poor form, the French remain quietly confident of advancing to the semifinals.

Wins against Namibia and Fiji would set up a probable quarterfinal against Ireland in Dublin, where France hasn't lost since 1983.

Namibia, which lost its World Cup opener against Fiji 67-18, has no injury problems but will be happy to avoid a hammering in its first meeting with France.

"France is going to be much more difficult than Fiji," said coach Rudy Joubert. "We will need to keep the ball much more and do more to control the play."

 

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