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
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Your support makes all the difference.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 10-0 Italy, 35 minutes
That’s more like it from the Italian defence, though, Damian Penaud and Matthieu Jalibert each bursting into space but cut down quickly enough. Charles Ollivon is taken in a fine low tackle by Martin Page-Relo, biting the ankles like an unruly terrier, and Italy pounce on the ball as it spills free from the base of the breakdown.
Oh dear. It appears Jalibert has suffered a sore one, a low, late tackle leaving him needing treatment on a knee.
France 10-0 Italy, 33 minutes
There have been some pretty solid parts of this Italian performance, but they’ve not been accurate enough at all. They’ve been eager to get after the French breakdown, but need to pick their moments better, Juan Ignacio Brex clearly off his feet as he over-balances attempting to contest. France advance through Jalibert’s right boot.
France 10-0 Italy, 31 minutes
A free kick at the lineout and Italy play fast, tapping quickly and going off on an explore. Space appears briefly but inaccurate handling sees the ball hit the deck, and Thomas Ramos’s raking right-footed punt ensures Italy are turned.
Another long Italy clearance and Matthieu Jalibert comes charging back, taking a huge hit from Tommaso Menoncello as he connects with Matthis Lebel. Jalibert is out of the game for the moment so Thomas Ramos steps in as lead playmaker, a role he is perfectly comfortable in, whipping a delectable pass out to Damian Penaud.
Penaud goes to his favoured chip and chase to try and best the last defender, but skews it away off the outside of his right boot. A slap of the hands in frustration - not quite the required technique.
France 10-0 Italy, 30 minutes
And Italy will clear fully from a scrum penalty. Cyril Baille loses his footing and has no complaints with Christophe Ridley’s decision.
France 10-0 Italy, 29 minutes
Posolo Tuilagi hits a dynamite line and detonates a tackler or two. Uini Atonio also shows off some nifty footwork.
Pressure building. Jonathan Danty is grasped well. Italy spread to the right...agh! Not for the first time today, a little careless from Matthieu Jalibert, a flick from Peato Mauvaka eminently catchable but slipping through his fingers as the France fly half focusses overly on the approaching Italians in front of him. Italy survive.
France 10-0 Italy, 28 minutes
Much better from the Italian pack, holding their ground against the might of the French eight. But that’s rather less pretty - turnover ball ten metres out from their own line and France have an attacking chance...
France 10-0 Italy, 26 minutes
Damian Penaud gets on the ball twice in the movement, but is squeezed out on the right and then taken at the ankles as he tries to loop off his wing in the 13 channel a couple of phases later.
Matthieu Jalibert turns the Italian defence, who claim but fail to clear, a horrible kick ending up in Charles Ollivon’s bread basket. Ollivon hops on his bicycle and tries to find Matthis Lebel in space, but a timely Italian hand forces an errant pass and Lebel can’t scoop it up off the deck.
France 10-0 Italy, 24 minutes
France are told to play away, and Maxime Lucu obliges, Jonathan Danty on the hard, straight line into Paolo Garbisi, who gets in the way effectively. France reload, Atonio make metres on the charge, but that’s loose from Matthieu Jalibert - Paul Boudehent is a fine athlete and might have been favourite for a better chip across to the right touchline, but Jalibert’s sand wedge is over-flighted. There looked to be a four-on-one, too - surely putting it through the hands was a better option?
France 10-0 Italy, 22 minutes
France claim the lineout and utilise their heavy artillery, Posolo Tuilagi coming crunching around the corner. Italy infringe, failing to vacate a ruck, but regather themselves well, putting in good shots on Tuilagi and then Atonio.
France opt for a scrum from the penalty having run aground. Seven metres out, left of centre.
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