Rugby-Namibia rotate squad for World Cup clash with hosts France

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool A - Italy v Namibia - Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France - September 9, 2023 Namibia players during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) - Namibia have made nine changes to their starting XV for the Rugby World Cup Pool A clash with hosts France in Marseille on Thursday as coach Allister Coetzee looks to give his wider squad a taste of the tournament in this "special occasion".

One of those changes is enforced by the horrific ankle injury sustained by centre Le Roux Malan in the 71-3 loss to New Zealand on Friday. Danco Burger comes into the side as his replacement.