The Rugby World Cup continues today with a lunchtime clash between Italy and Namibia in Saint-Etienne.
After hosts France and three-time champions New Zealand kicked off the tournament last night, Pool A continues with a lower-key lunchtime match-up at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Italy head into the World Cup off the back of successive warm-up wins over Romania and Japan that followed defeat by Ireland in Dublin, having endured a miserable winless Six Nations campaign.
And, with some huge tests to come, the Azzurri will be expected to win again today against a Namibian side that lost to Uruguay - also in Pool A - in their first warm-up Test before edging out first-time qualifiers Chile and being bested by the Vodacom Bulls of the URC.
A 36-0 drubbing of Kenya in last year’s Rugby Africa Cup final secured a seventh straight World Cup berth for minnows Namibia, who have never won a game on the biggest stage.
Italy have competed at every World Cup since the inaugural edition in 1987, but have never been beyond the pool stage and would need some major shocks for that to change this time around.
Where to watch Italy vs Namibia
TV channel: In the UK, today’s game will be shown live and for free on ITV1, with coverage starting at 11:30am BST ahead of a 12pm kick-off.
