2023 Rugby World Cup Pool Stage

When is Italy vs Namibia on and what time does it start? Italy vs Namibia will take place on Saturday 9th September, 2023 – 12:00 (UK)

Where is Italy vs Namibia taking place? Italy vs Namibia will take place at Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Étienne, France

Where can I get tickets for Italy vs Namibia?

What channel is Italy vs Namibia on in the UK? Italy vs Namibia will be televised live on ITV

Where can I stream Italy vs Namibia in the UK? Italy vs Namibia can be streamed live on ITVX

THE SQUADS

ITALY

Starting 15: Tommaso Allan, Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Montanna Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney, Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro (c), Sebastian Negri, Federico Ruzza, Dino Lamb, Simone Ferrari, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti

Replacements: Hame Faiva, Ivan Nemer, Marco Riccioni, David Sisi, Manuel Zuliani, Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Odogwu, Pierre Bruno

NAMIBIA

Starting 15: Divan Rossouw, Gerswin Mouton, Johan Deysel (captain), Danco Burger, JC Greyling, Tiaan Swanepoel, Damian Stevens, Richard Hardwick, Johan Retief, Wian Conradie, Tjiuee Uanivi, Adriaan Ludick, Aranos Coetzee, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Desiderius Sethie

Replacements: Louis van der Westhuizen, Jason Benade, Casper Viviers, Tiaan de Klerk, Prince Gaoseb, Jacques Theron, Andre van der Berg, Le Roux Malan

THE LOWDOWN

ITALY

Italy endured a poor Six Nations campaign but come into this having won their last two matches and will hope to build on that as they take on Namibia in their opening game of the Rugby World Cup. They have been drawn in a daunting group but the Italians will hope to pick up a couple of wins in Pool A.

NAMIBIA

Namibia will compete in the RWC for the sixth time but they are still yet to earn their first win. They technically claimed a draw in their game with Canada in Japan because of the game being postponed but it is the win they will be out for and this is the game they will be targeting to claim a maiden success.

THE PREDICTION

Italy will hope to put their Six Nations woe behind them as they take on Namibia. The Italians lost all five of their games during that competition but this is a different challenge and they have at least won their last two warm-up matches. For Namibia, having never won a RWC match, it is tough to expect much from them here and the Italians should be big winners.