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
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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).
Tadgh Beirne starts for the first time in the Six Nations for Ireland, while Joe Schmidt recalls two of his fit again favourites, Sean O'Brien and Rob Kearney starting at open side flanker and full-back respectively.
It is almost time.
It's the big one. The nauseating talk about the roof, the psychological warfare, the tackle count discussion - it's all over. It's time to play rugby.
The roof is open, of course, and the players emerge from into the wet and wild that Storm Gareth has brought, warmed by flamethrowers and the roar of the crowd and perhaps rugby's greatest arena.
The Principality impeccably falls silent in reflection of the atrocities in Christchurch earlier in the week.
Beautifully observed.
Ireland answer their call with a strong rendition. Plenty of green jerseys in the stadium.
The noise!
A stirring rendition of "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" of real gusto and volume.
The atmosphere is quite something.
80 minutes between Wales and a Grand Slam.
Angus Gardner is the Australian referee this afternoon with the unenviable task of keeping such a high-stakes affair under control.
Alun Wyn Jones glares at the Irish team as his side assembles for the kick-off. Rory Best takes a deep breath.
Wales will kick-off. Gareth Anscombe has the ball in hand.
Wales 0-0 Ireland, 1 minutes
Perfect start for Wales!
George North's chase is excellent and he bundles the Irish taker into touch inside the Ireland 22.
Wales set up the maul from the lineout.
TRY! Wales 7-0 Ireland (Hadleigh Parkes, 1 minute)
WHAT A START FOR WALES!
James Ryan comes in at the side so Wales have the advantage, and Gareth Anscombe goes to his boot.
Such a silky playmaker, the out-half delectably chips over the top and it is right into Hadleigh Parkes' path, who gathers and flops over the line. A combination forged in New Zealand but now firmly Welsh, and they set their side on their way.
Anscombe converts. The perfect beginning.
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