Ollivon expectant ahead of Marseille meeting with Namibia

Many of the players have played at the Stade Velodrome for their clubs, among them Charles Ollivon whose Toulon employers have overcome both Leinster and Munster at the venue in Champions Cup semi-finals this last ten years.

ELECTRIC SURROUNDINGS: Charles Ollivon of France. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The omnipotent Antoine Dupont looks down on the swarm of commuters that sweep daily from the platforms of Marseille’s Saint-Charles station and out into the city beyond. Rugby advertisements litter the metro and thoroughfares.

Six of the Rugby World Cup’s 48 games are being played at the ground normally known as the Stade Velodrome but the billboards will soon be advertising perfumes and potato chips again and Marseille will revert to the norm.