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 21-22 France, 57 minutes
Ah - that’s frustrating for Italy, having both their lineout stolen and a penalty awarded against them just as they looked to have survived defensively.
Thomas Ramos will go for goal as Pietro Ceccarelli comes on to the Italian tighthead.
Italy 21-22 France, 56 minutes
Not for long! Julien Marchand is chopped at the knees by Giacomo Nicotera and is left isolated, the France hooker rolling away in an attempt to keep Lorenzo Cannone’s pilfering paws away from the ball. Marchand is penalised and Italy clear.
Italy 21-22 France, 55 minutes
Another tight five change for France: Romain Taofifenua can just about match Paul Willemse in the size stakes and steps in to the second row.
Another shallow Tommaso Allan clearance grants more attacking ball for France’s 14 men.
Italy 21-22 France, 54 minutes
Almost something from nothing from Damian Penaud! Penaud looks up into a wall of Italian white shirts but threads a grubber delicately between them, and sets off into that gorgeous sprinter’s stride. Luca Morisi is a little slow on the turn and very, very nearly beaten to the ball by a motoring Penaud, but the Italian centre is just about able to get his hands to the ball and force a knock on.
Italy 21-22 France, 52 minutes
France make changes - two new props into the front row in Reda Wardi and Sipili Falatea, with Cyril Baille and Uini Atonio removed.
Tommaso Allan gets his kick all wrong, skewing it out only seven metres or so up the left Italian touchline...but Federico Ruzza makes up for his fly half’s error by pinching the lineout!
PENALTY TRY! ITALY 21-22 France (51 minutes)
Penalty try! The line was in sight for Giacomo Nicotera and Ollivon clearly dragged him down - the French flanker can have no complaints as he’s dispatched for the naughty step.
Seven points to the Italian tally and France lose a man. Surely not?
Italy 14-22 France, 51 minutes
Italy’s maul gets a moving, and Charles Ollivon appears to haul it down. It’ll definitely be yellow but will this also be a penalty try?
Italy 14-22 France, 50 minutes
France tackle Pierre Bruno high as the wing stoops slightly into contact after another Italian kick return. Just a penalty, according to referee Matt Carley, who permits Italy to explore with an advantage.
Tommaso Allan tosses a miss ball over the top for Seb Negri, who swats away Damian Penaud. But there’s no major ground made - they’ll have the penalty.
How ambitious will Allan be with his touchfinder? Very! It’s right in the corner...
Italy 14-22 France, 48 minutes
Tommaso Allan inadvertendly acquaints himself with the chest of teammate Federico Ruzza, the lock rather getting in the way as his fly half tries to threaten on the counter-attack.
That’s a meaty meeting - Paul Willemse detonates Michele Lamaro’s ribcage with Uini Atonio providing sizeable support. Not a pair of nightclub bouncers I’d wish to cross.
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