Namibia off to Europe

The IRB has confirmed the venues and kick-off dates for Namibia’s tour of Europe at the end of the year.

The three-match tour is part of an extensive campaign to prepare Namibia for the 2015 World Cup in England.

The Welwitchias start their tour in Wales against Canada at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay, on November 7. The countries have met once before on the international stage at the 1999 World Cup in France, which Canada won 72-11.

The Africans are currently ranked 22nd according to the IRB while their opponents are five places above them in 17th. Conditions will also provide a major test as kick-off is scheduled for 19.00 GMT (21:00 Namibian time) in a city overlooking the Irish Sea with rain and low temperatures prevalent that time of the year.

Namibia will then travel across the English channel to Toulon for a match against the French Barbarians at the Stade Felix Mayol.

Although warmer weather and better conditions are expected for this fixture, the French Barbarians are likely to provide Namibia with their strongest opposition on the tour. The 2014 French Barbarians, which will be named shortly, will be the toughest opponents on the road as the side could include a number of test players.

The final leg of their tour will be the Estadio Nacional Jamor near Lisbon for a test match against Portugal on November 22.

It will be the sixth encounter between these nations and the head-to-head results favour the Namibians as they have won four of the five matches played thus far. Portugal managed a solitary 24-12 win in November 2010.

Portugal is ranked one spot below Namibia on the rankings and kick-off for this match will be 14.00 GMT (16.00 Namibian time)

The tour will be preceded by an international match in Windhoek on 1 November against a soon-to-be-confirmed opponent.

Namibia will open their World Cup campaign against the defending champions, New Zealand, on September 24 at London’s Olympic Stadium.