Italy vs France LIVE rugby: Six Nations 2023 result and reaction as Italy narrowly miss out on famous win
Italy 24-29 France: Italy push the reigning grand slam champions all the way but Matthieu Jalibert’s try sees Les Bleus win
Ethan Dumortier scored a try on his France debut as the Les Bleus kick-started their Six Nations title defence with a hard-fought 29-24 bonus-point victory over a fiesty Italy at the Stadio Olimpico.
Thibault Flament, Thomas Ramos and Matthieu Jalibert also got on the scoresheet for the Grand Slam champions, while Ange Capuozzo dotted down for Italy and Tommaso Allan added four penalties.
The visitors were dealt a second-half scare when Charles Ollivon was sent to the sin bin and Italy were awarded a penalty try, at one point taking a second-half lead through Allan.
Les Bleus fended off the threat and will look to extend their winning streak to 15 when they travel to Ireland next weekend.
Relive all the action from Italy vs France below:
Italy 24-29 France, 80 minutes
Safety first from Allan - kicked out outside the French 22. One last shot at another magic Italian moment...
Italy 24-29 France, 79 minutes
Penalty advantage for Italy! Two French players in at the side of the maul.
The clock ticks past 79:00 as Italy take a wise pause. Tommaso Allan will look for as much distance as possible with his punt towards the corner.
Italy 24-29 France, 78 minutes
The lineout goes awry! France might have been able to milk some clock with the maul but Gaetan Barlot’s throw had too much amplitude.
The ball diverts into touch off a French boot. Italy lineout on halfway.
Italy 24-29 France, 77 minutes
Alessandro Fusco has replaced Stephen Varney at scrum half for Italy. He injects a bit of tempo, bringing his forwards around the corner with appropriate gusto.
But that’s a magnificent bit of work from Sekou Macalou. Supports in the tackle, shows a clear release and then over the top like a barnacle - penalty to France!
Italy 24-29 France, 76 minutes
Crikey is this tense. Into the final five minutes with the game very much in the balance.
France scrum strongly but can’t draw a penalty. A threaded kick goes out of play just before Ange Capuozzo’s attempted hack diverts it further towards the stands - it’ll be Italy’s lineout ball to throw.
Italy 24-29 France, 74 minutes
France have started to be more active at the breakdown, both counter-rucking when they can and trying to jackal if the opportunity is there. Yoram Moefana tries one of each, nearly winning the ball with a burly shove and then cleared out well just as he seemed ready to pounce on an isolated Italian carrier.
Missed penalty! Italy 24-29 France, 73 minutes
Just wide! An ooh of disappointment from Tommaso Allan, slicing his effort from the ten-metre line wide. Five points the gap remains.
Italy 24-29 France, 71 minutes
But Italy refuse to go away. Another advantage (for a tackle off the ball from Romain Taofifenua) prompts a left-ward exploration, with Tommasoo Menoncello put into space.
Menoncello pokes ahead and looks the favourite for the bouncing ball, but can’t force his second kick between French legs to capitalise.
There’s the penalty, though, to which Italy can return. What’s the decision? A kick at goal.
Italy 24-29 France, 70 minutes
A timely steal from French hands! Italy play, slightly surprisingly, off the top of the lineout, and Anthony Jelonch is in superbly to nick the ball after Italy’s midfield carrier is felled.
Italy 24-29 France, 69 minutes
A big test now for Italy to recompose themselves and push for a grandstand finish. More changes in the pack: Luca Bigi at hooker, Federico Zani at prop, Giovanni Pettinelli in the back row, and Edoardo Iachizzi at lock - a debut for Iachizzi, who is based in France with Vannes.
Italy win a penalty at the lineout.
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