Hi °C | Lo °C Namibia captain Kees Lensing has taken a dig at Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan by declaring France are a "better coached side".
A 87-10 victory against the Africans on Sunday has reignited France's World Cup ambitions, but they can not afford to slip up in Friday's Pool D clash against the Irish in Paris.
Namibia have played both teams - they only lost 32-17 to Ireland in their tournament opener - and insists the hosts are a far more formidable outfit.
The former Leeds prop, who now plays for Natal, said: "France are a much better side - and a better coached side as well.
"If they stick to their game plan they can still go all the way.
"They have more skill, are more solid and are better trained.
"I think their team can go all the way if they're motivated enough."
Namibia coach Hakkies Husselman agreed with his skipper comments and tipped France as possible winners of the showdown and tournament.
He said: "We put Ireland under pressure and they made mistakes.
"The French are at a higher point at this stage and were the better side on the day when we played them.
"France will be close to winning the World Cup."
Meanwhile, Alessandro Troncon will earn his 100th Test cap when he lines up for Italy against Portugal in the World Cup Pool C match at the Parc des Princes tomorrow.
The 34-year-old scrum-half returns to the Azzurri's starting XV after dropping to the bench for their 24-18 win over Romania in Marseille last week.
Only seven of the team that scraped to victory over the Romanians are retained by coach Pierre Berbizier.
Italy team: D Bortolussi; P Canavosio, G Canale, A Masi, M Pratichetti; R de Marigny, A Troncon; A Lo Cicero, L Ghiraldini, M Castrogiovanni, C Del Fava, M Bortolami (capt), S Parisse, M Bergamasco, M Vosawai. Replacements: F Ongaro, M Aguero, S Perugini, V Bernabo, S Orlando, P Griffen, E Galon.
