France vs Namibia Betting Tips: Two predictions for host nation Rugby World Cup match

France began Group A of the Rugby World Cup in the perfect fashion by stuffing the All Blacks. It was the first time New Zealand had ever been beaten in the Pool stages of a World Cup so was quite the statement, but since then the French B team struggled to get past a Uruguay side they were supposed to thump. With a host of stars returning to the squad for this clash with Namibia, Les Bleus will be gunning to score plenty of points which could mean profitable punting.

Here at BettingOdds.com, our man Billy Grimshaw previews the second game of round three of matches and he has two tips worth considering for the match up in Marseille...

As someone who tipped and backed France on the handicap last time out against Uruguay despite the changes and watched them flounder their way to an unconvincing 27-13 win, it is a tricky one to side with the hosts here to cover the spread. Yes there were changes aplenty last time out but the clunkiness of the attack and the ease in which Uruguay knocked them off their stride must be a worry for anyone who has backed France to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy.

The return of Ramos, Penaud and Dupont in particular should spark the French attack back into life and they will hopefully throw in a much improved performance in front of an expectant Marseille crowd. Namibia emerged with great credit after falling to a comprehensive but spirited defeat last time out against the mighty All Blacks but things certainly don't get any easier for them this time around and if anything the French side looks stronger than the rotated AB team that they squared off against.

With France 1/200 to win the result is certainly not in doubt, but the handicap line had me scratching my head again. 68 is the number being offered by most firms, the exact winning margin New Zealand won by against Namibia, and with my belief that the starting side for France is stronger than last week's New Zealanders and the need for a big performance on home soil following the Uruguay debacle, I am going in again.

If you'd have asked me at the final hooter of France vs Uruguay if I'd be tipping the French on the handicap again anytime soon you'd have received a grumpy glare, however I have recovered thankfully from the woeful outcome of the tip and just cannot see how Namibia live with Les Bleus. Cyril Baille back in the side at number 1 is a big bonus as there are arguably few better in World Rugby right now in that position, while Peato Mauvaka getting the starting hooker jersey is another plus in my eyes. Louis Bielle Barrey keeps his spot in the team but switches wings this time out, and on the opposite flank most eyes will be drawn to Damian Penaud who is back after a rest last week.

The big news though is that star man and captain Antoine Dupont returns at scrum half to partner Mattheu Jallibert. These two are first choice and will be itching to try things in a risk free encounter like this so I'm expecting points aplenty. Penaud had All Blacks defenders in a spin a fortnight ago so who knows what he could end up doing to Namibia and after missing a game last week the pre-tournament top tryscorer favourite will be itching for some five pointers in Marseille.

The French rotation back to something like their strongest squad coupled with the sheer enormity of the task the Namibians faced last week in attempting to not be run over by the All Blacks means I think this one could be a cricket score. France will be smarting at conceding two tries to Uruguay last week as well as their lack of points so I would not be surprised to see a total shut out but I am confident that even if Namibia do jag some points, France will get enough to cover the 68 spread.

Is it ever value to be backing a player to score a hat-trick in a game of rugby at sub 2/1? That's a question each reader must answer but to my eye I'd make the odds of France's chief try scoring threat Damian Penaud scoring three or more in a batter of Namibia about an even money chance. William Hill odds compilers agree but the folks at BoyleSports and SpreadEx are dangling the carrot at 9/5 and I can't resist taking a bite.

Penaud is a try scoring and indeed rugby phenomenon. His unique run style drew ridicule at first when he was emerging in the game but now is one of his trademarks and his slalom style could cause chaos for poor Namibia. With Thomas Ramos back in the side perhaps France will kick more and to a better quality than they did last week against Namibia, however I would love to see Penaud running more freely in open field on kick returns or indeed pushing up through the middle to support any potential offloads as the Fijians are famed for.

France's attack favours Penaud's side and with a fresh Dupont back in the fold to create chaos, I expect a flurry of tries. There is also the added spice that Penaud will be desperate to join the elite list of wingers who have bagged the World Cup top try-scorer gong. He missed out against Uruguay of course but did bag one against the All Blacks and with this looking his best opportunity to rack up a massive number of personal points, expect him to be sniffing around at every opportunity.