France set to battle England for top spot in Pool C

France clung on to beat Tonga 23-21 on Sunday morning meaning that Saturday's clash with England will decide who tops Pool C.

Les Bleus had led 17-0 at one stage but were gradually pegged back and a late Tongan try by Zane Kapeli made it a fraught finish for the French after a Damian Penaud touchdown had been disallowed.

France sit second in the group, two points behind England who have claimed a bonus point in all three of their wins.

England are rated 1-4, and as short as 1-7 in places, to win their weekend clash while France are available to back at 4-1.

The group winners will play the runners-up of Pool D on October 19, which looks most likely to be Australia.

Holders New Zealand crossed the tryline 11 times in a 71-9 victory over Namibia but for the second time in a row that wasn't enough for their backers on the handicap to collect.

Namibia put up a spirited resistance in the first half, trailing by just a point after 35 minutes. But the All Blacks opened up thereafter, registering 61 unanswered points.

New Zealand, 6-5 favourites to retain the Webb Ellis Cup, are top of Pool B but have not yet done enough to ensure qualification for the quarter-finals.

They are no bigger than 1-100, however, to beat Italy on Saturday, when they complete their group-stage fixtures.

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