Odds stacked against outsiders

LAMBS to the slaughter: that’s the unappetising spectre for Pool D’s whipping boys, Namibia, when they face one of the tournament’s favourites, Ireland, at Stade Chaban-Delmas tomorrow. Namibia concede, on average, over 70 points every time they step on the field at the World Cup but will hope to improve on that statistic against Ireland’s strongest available XV.

The odds of doing that are stacked firmly against them, though captain, Kees Lensing, believes Namibia can at least live with the Ireland scrum. However, defensively they could be very vulnerable as the Irish intend on bettering the 64-7 winning scoreline over the Africans from their last meeting at RWC 2003.

Lensing, a national hero in Namibia, believes the “Welwitchias” front eight is their strong point, a fact acknowledged by Ireland’s forwards coach, Niall O’Donovan in Bordeaux yesterday. “The Irish pack have players who are used to playing at this level,” said Lensing. “It is normal for them, whereas we don’t play at this level so often.”