Italy vs France rugby LIVE: Damian Penaud try seals underwhelming victory for Les Bleus against winless Italy
Re-live the action from the final day of the Six Nations championship
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Re-live the latest updates live from Six Nations Grand Slam Saturday as Italy suffered a record-stretching 22nd straight defeat against France.
Following two early penalties from Tommaso Allan, France hit back to take the lead through a converted try from Antoine Dupont, with Romain Ntamack adding a further three points before the break.
The visitors stretched their lead afterwards as wing Yoan Huget scored to give them breathing space, but Italy clawed their way back into the match when scrum-half Tito Tebaldi went over for a try. Italy then looked to have scored a second try when debutant Marco Zanon went over, but Damian Penaud wisely dislodged the ball out of his hands and followed up by scoring a well-executed try minutes later to seal the win. Re-live the live action below.
When is the match?
Italy vs France takes place on Saturday 16 March at the Stadio Olimpico.
What time does it start?
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 12:30pm GMT (1.30pm CET).
Where can I watch it?
Live coverage is on ITV from midday.
Teams
Italy: J Hayward (Benetton); E Padovani (Zebre), M Zanon (Benetton), L Morisi (Benetton), A Esposito (Benetton); T Allan (Benetton), T Tebaldi (Benetton); A Lovotti (Zebre), L Ghiraldini (Toulouse), T Pasquali (Benetton), D Sisi (Zebre), F Ruzza (Benetton), A Steyn (Benetton), J Polledri (Gloucester), S Parisse (Stade Francais, capt).
Replacements: L Bigi (Benetton), C Traore (Benetton), S Ferrari (Benetton), A Zanni (Benetton), S Negri (Benetton), G Palazzani (Zebre), I McKinley (Benetton), L Sperandio (Benetton).
France: M Medard (Toulouse); D Penaud (Clermont Auvergne), M Bastareaud (Toulon), W Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), Y Huget (Toulouse); R Ntamack (Toulouse), A Dupont (Toulouse); E Falgoux (Clermont Auvergne), G Guirado (Toulon, capt), D Bamba (Brive), F Lambey (Lyon), P Willemse (Montpellier), G Alldritt (La Rochelle), Y Camara (Montpellier), L Picamoles (Montpellier).
Replacements: C Chat (Racing 92), D Priso (La Rochelle), D Aldegheri (Toulouse), P Gabrillagues (Stade Francais), A Iturria (Clermont Auvergne), B Serin (Bordeax-Begles), C Lopez (Clermont Auvergne), T Ramos (Toulouse).
Referee: Matt Carley (England).
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales) and Andrew Brace (Ireland).
Italy 14-20 France, 76 minutes
Italy look for Sergio Parisse at the line out but France have read it.
They clear to halfway. Have Italy squandered their opportunity?
Italy 14-20 France, 77 minutes
Italy have a sniff of an overlap after Cherif Traore carries powerfully, but Edoardo Padovani drops the ball as he reaches to collect the pass designed to open up the space.
France scrum.
Italy 14-20 France, 78 minutes
Another strong scrum from the rejigged French front row. Louis Picamoles uses up time with a meandering carry from the base.
Baptiste Serin goes to the air, and France reclaim...
TRY! Italy 14-25 France (Damian Penaud, 78 minutes)
What a try! Brilliant by Romain Ntamack!
Jayden Hayward moves forward to collect the box kick but Ntamack rises highest, dominating the contest and ripping the ball down into his grasp.
And as he tumbles to floor he produces a sumptuous offload to Damian Penaud in support and the Clermont flyer has just enough energy in cramping legs to get over the line.
A ten-point swing from Damian Penaud in these closing stages. Game winner.
Ntamack fails to convert.
Italy 14-25 France, 80 minutes
The clock ticks into the red, and France have the ball back as Italy knock on.
A battling win for France against a spirited Italy. The hosts had their chances, most notably when Marco Zanon fumbled late on with a heroic tackle from Damian Penaud, and the margin of victory was extended further by the French winger as he sprinted over after excellent work from Romain Ntamack.
In the end the score doesn't reflect how close Italy were to victory, and how they may rue their missed opportunities from the tee, two poor Tommaso Allan kicks and a string of curious kicks to the corner in the first half ultimately costing them.
Jacques Brunel preserves his job, and the experience will do the young French side good. Both sides can now look towards the World Cup.
And that may well be farewell to Sergio Parisse on the Six Nations stage.
A great player and a great man, and the tournament will sorely miss him if it is indeed the end.
We now switch our attentions to Cardiff as the fast and furious day of rugby intensifies.
We've ticked past the 15 minutes to go mark and the atmosphere is building superbly at the Principality Stadium.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments