France v Italy LIVE: Six Nations 2024 result and reaction after visitors come agonisingly close to victory

The Azzurri are searching for their first victory of the tournament while Les Bleus hope to build on their win over Scotland

France train ahead of Six Nations match

Paolo Garbisi struck the post with a potential match-winning penalty as Italy narrowly missed out on a famous Six Nations victory over France in Lille.

With the scores level and the clock dead, Garbisi lined up a shot at goal from the left that would have given Gonzalo Quesada his first win as Italy boss.

But having been rushed into his attempt with the shot clock running down after the ball fell off his tee, Garbisi’s flighted effort curled against the right-hand post, rebounding away to ensure France held on for a 13-13 draw.

The hosts had been profligate in a first half they dominated but the game tilted after Jonathan Danty’s dismissal just before the interval.

The France centre was initially shown a yellow card for his head-on-head collision with Juan Ignacio Brex, but an upgrade to red on review in the TMO bunker gave Italy confidence that they could fight back to secure a significant win over the pre-tournament favourites.

Ange Capuozzo’s score in the corner and a fine Garbisi touchline conversion set up a shot at glory, but the fly half was denied by the woodwork as Italy came agonisingly close.

Relive all the Six Nations action below, plus get the latest odds and tips right here:

France vs Italy LIVE

• Italy denied famous win by the woodwork as 14-man France secure draw
• FULL TIME: France 13-13 Italy - Hosts cling on after Paolo Garbisi hits post with penalty
• 71’ - TRY ITALY! Ange Capuozzo dives over to level the scores (France 13-13 Italy)
• 41’ - Danty’s yellow card upgraded to RED as the second half begins
• HT: France 10-3 Italy - Hosts struggle to build lead
• TRY! FRANCE 7-0 Italy - Charles Ollivon tumbles over for opening score
• KICK OFF!

[25 February 2024 10:05 · Luke Baker]

Six Nations 2024 schedule in full: Fixtures, kick-off times and results

Round 1

France 17-38 Ireland (Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Italy 24-27 England (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)

Wales 26-27 Scotland (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)

Round 2

Scotland 16-20 France (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)

England 16-14 Wales (Twickenham, London)

Ireland 36-0 Italy (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)

Round 3

Ireland 31-7 Wales (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)

Scotland 30-21 England (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)

France vs Italy (Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille) - Sunday 25 February, 3pm GMT

Round 4

Italy vs Scotland (Stadio Olimpico, Rome) - Saturday 9 March, 2.15pm GMT

England vs Ireland (Twickenham, London) - Saturday 9 March, 4.45pm GMT

Wales vs France (Principality Stadium, Cardiff) - Sunday 10 March, 3pm GMT

Round 5

Wales vs Italy (Principality Stadium, Cardiff) - Saturday 16 March, 2.15pm GMT

Ireland vs Scotland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin) - Saturday 16 March, 4.45pm GMT

France vs England (Groupama Stadium, Lyon) - Saturday 16 March, 8pm GMT

[25 February 2024 09:45 · Luke Baker]

Powerhouse Posolo Tuilagi earns first France start as Ross Vintcent gets Italy Six Nations call

France have named 19-year-old lock Posolo Tuilagi in their starting lineup for the first time and confirmed Charles Ollivon as captain for Sunday’s Six Nations clash against Italy.

Tuilagi, who weighs nearly 150 kg and is the nephew of England star Manu Tuilagi, came off the bench in France’s opening two matches of this year’s championship, but now partners Cameron Woki in the second-row from the kick-off at Villeneuve-d’Ascq.

Meanwhile, Ross Vintcent will make a first start for Italy, as head coach Gonzalo Quesada named a much-changed team from the round two defeat to Ireland.

[25 February 2024 09:25 · Luke Baker]

France v Italy referee: Who is Six Nations official Christophe Ridley?

Christophe Ridley will make his Six Nations debut after being appointed to referee the round three clash between France and Italy.

The talented young Englishman joins the officiating panel as a lead official after the retirement of Wayne Barnes, having worked closely with his compatriot during his career so far.

A former member of the academy at Leicester Tigers, Ridley switched to refereeing after a series of injuries and has developed quickly through the ranks after studying at the University of Gloucestershire.

Here’s everything you need to know about today’s referee:

[25 February 2024 09:10 · Luke Baker]

Italy team news

Gonzalo Quesada shuffles his pack after a bruising trip to Dublin that saw Italy fail to register. Federico Mori starts at inside centre with Tommaso Menoncello shifted out to the wing, while Martin Page-Relo replaces Stephen Varney at scrum half.

Riccardo Favretto will win his second international cap three years on from his first in a new-look back row, with the uncapped Matteo Canali among Italy’s own six-strong bench forward unit.

Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Giosue Zilocchi; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Federico Ruzza; 6 Riccardo Favretto, 7 Michele Lamaro (capt.), 8 Ross Vintcent; 9 Martin Page-Relo, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Federico Mori, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Tommaso Menoncello; 15 Ange Capuozzo.

Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Andrea Zambonin, 21 Manuel Zuliani; 22 Stephen Varney, 23 Leonardo Marin.

[25 February 2024 09:00 · Luke Baker]

France team news

Fabien Galthie hands teenage lock Posolo Tuilagi his first start in the French pack, with Paul Boudehent brought into the back row after injury to Gregory Alldritt.

Charles Ollivon captains in Alldritt’s absence with Francois Cros sliding across to No 8, while potential debutant Esteban Abadie is one of six forwards on the bench. The impressive Louis Bielle-Biarrey was set to start on the left wing once more but Toulouse star Matthis Lebel was a late call-up to replace him on Saturday.

France XV: 1 Cyrill Baille, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio; 4 Cameron Woki, 5 Posolo Tuilagi; 6 Paul Boudehent, 7 Charles Ollivon (capt.), 8 Francois Cros; 9 Maxime Lucu, 10 Matthieu Jalibert; 11 Matthis Lebel, 12 Jonathan Danty, 13 Gael Fickou, 14 Damian Penaud; 15 Thomas Ramos.

Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Sebastien Taofifenua, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Esteban Abadie; 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Yoram Moefana.

[25 February 2024 08:50 · Luke Baker]

France v Italy odds and prediction

Odds

France win 1/33

Draw 100/1

Italy win 22/1

Prediction

A France win. France 35-15 Italy.

[25 February 2024 08:40 · Luke Baker]

How to watch France v Italy

When is France vs Italy?

France vs Italy is due to kick off at 3pm GMT on Sunday 25 February at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille. France are holding their three home games in this championship away from Paris with the Stade de France out of action ahead of this summer’s Olympics.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 2.15pm. A live stream will be available via ITVX.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

[25 February 2024 08:30 · Luke Baker]

France v Italy

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of France v Italy in the Six Nations.

It’s the final match of the weekend and the two continental European rivals will do battle in Lille.

Stick with us for full live coverage