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 0-0 Italy, 6 minutes
They cannot - advantage coming, at the very least...
France 0-0 Italy, 5 minutes
A missed connection in the transfer to Cyril Baille means France can’t make much progress, but there’s an Italian hand involved, and it’ll by Maxime Lucu’s scrum to feed.
About 100kg differential in the pack weights - can Italy hold firm against this gargantuan French unit?
France 0-0 Italy, 4 minutes
Cameron Woki claims France’s first lineout of the afternoon, and the maul goes to work, making metres quickly and drawing advantage.
Out to the backs, and Matthieu Jalibert, who slightly curiously tries to prod for the corner. Out of play it trickles, and back we will come for that maul penalty.
Jalibert fancies giving his powerful pack another go - he kicks into the Italy 22.
France 0-0 Italy, 3 minutes
Giacomo Nicotera hits his first jumper after Paolo Garbisi finds touch, and Italy go on the attack. Federico Mori has been in fine form for Bayonne in the Basque Country this season and makes an enterprising first carry, but Giosue Zilocchi is isolated as he rumbles up the middle, with Francois Cros there to capitalise with a jackal. Penalty France, and a good start defensively from the hosts.
France 0-0 Italy, 1 minute
France move the ball immediately after Italy clear the kick off long, but Matthis Lebel has to wait to take a wide pass and is driven back in the tackle by Tommaso Menoncello, pushed out to the wing today. Italy soon win a breakdown penalty.
KICK OFF!
The last of the smoke clears from pitch level as Matthieu Jalibert waits to get us underway. Italy ready for the catch, lock Niccolo Cannone prepared to be hoisted.
Debutant referee Christophe Ridley blows his whistle, Jalibert hoists - France vs Italy has begun!
Anthems
Plenty of emotion on the faces of the Italian squad as the camera pans, Danilo Fischetti and Michele Lamaro roaring out the final notes, as is custom.
La Marseillaise is properly punchy, the brothers Taofifenua providing a bit of extra volume from the far end of the French line.
Right, time for action.
France vs Italy
Cyril Baille and Romain Taofifenua lead France out under the Lille roof, each winning a 50th cap this afternoon. Given the roof is shut, the smoke from some tricolore fireworks may take a little bit of time to clear, but the atmosphere sounds excellent, and there’s not an empty seat in sight.
France vs Italy: Match officials
Match officials for France vs Italy, Sunday 25 February (3pm GMT, Lille)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Craig Evans (Wal)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
France v Italy referee: Who is Six Nations official Christophe Ridley?
The Englishman will make his Six Nations debut in the round three match
Gonzalo Quesada speaks to ITV ahead of kick off
“It’s a huge challenge again. Second game in Irealnd, third game in France is a nice start...
“But we’ve worked well during the week. We’ve had only a good half against England this tournament, and we played with some good heart against Ireland. Hopefully today we see more of what we started to do in the first half against England.
“A lot of our changes are due to injuries, we have so many props that aren’t here. I’d love to have more continuity, but the changes are to have some balance and some experience on the bench. Hopefully today we won’t have more injuries and some guys recover next week.”
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