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 9-17 France, 52 minutes
Another Italian error hands the ball back to France, however, though they reset defensively well.
Marco Zanon latches on to Maxime Medard's chest and drives the full-back towards touch with support from a couple of teammates giving him the extra push required to drive Medard over the line.
Italy 9-17 France, 53 minutes
Strong carries from two of Italy's back row, Braam Steyn first making good ground and then Sergio Parisse bowling over Romain Ntamack.
Some momentum to the Italian attack, and they have the advantage...
Italy 9-17 France, 54 minutes
Angelo esposito comes searching from his left win and is somehow repelled on the hard angle two metres out.
One more carry...
TRY! Italy 14-17 France, (Tito Tebaldi, 55 minutes)
And Tito Tebaldi dummies and goes over!
The big heave-ho to his left sends the close-in defenders in the wrong direction and Tebaldi powers through the final defender to extend the ball over the line for a deserved score.
Tommaso Allan fails to find the conversion. How costly could these misses be...
Baptiste Serin replaces Antoine Dupont at scrum-half for France.
Italy 14-17 France, 58 minutes
France respond with their powerful carriers, and then take the territory with a dribbled kick into the corner.
Leonardo Ghiraldini is in real bother after an off-ball collision with replacement Serin. This could be the last time we see the experience hooker in Six Nations action, and he might be leaving on a stretcher.
It's not a minor issue. Ghiraldini is in serious pain, and it's the type of injury that could jeopardise his World Cup participation, and for a player of Ghiraldini's age maybe even end a career.
On to the stretcher. A heart-wrenched for the Italian fans as a great servant leaves the Stadio Olimpico pitch. A standing ovation from all inside the ground, including the players.
Luca Bigi replaces him, while France introduce Arthur Iturria in the back row. A solid first start for Gregory Alldritt.
Italy 14-17 France, 58 minutes
Italy claim the line out and clear from the back of the resulting maul to their own ten-metre.
Italy 14-17 France, 59 minutes
The vastly experienced Alessandro Zanni comes into the second row, David Sisi applauded off after a good shift.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments