Italy 24 France 29 – Six Nations 2023 LIVE RESULT: Champs France overcome Italy battle to kick off defence with a win
FRANCE kicked off their Six Nations defence with a 29-24 win over Italy in Rome - but they were made to work for it.
In the end the champions held on to secure to the victory but were given an almighty scare.
- Result: Italy 24 France 29
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FT: Italy 24-29 France
France begin their defence of the Guinness Six Nations with a tough test in Rome.
After the start they made, it looked like it was going to be romp but this Italian side are made of stronger stuff.
There is a real grit about them, which should be a warning for all the other sides.
Italy won in Cardiff in the last campaign and no one would argue of their capability to beat sides in this competition.
With Capuozzo on the pitch, Italy are capable of scoring tries from nothing.
Their all-round game will need to improve, they missed some key kicks today that could have seen a completely different result.
FT: Italy 24-29 France
France have managed to hold on for the win.
That was a real scare for Les Bleus.
Italy gave them a real run for their money there.
Italy 24-29 France
80. Italy utilise a penalty to find touch.
It gives them a chance to come back at France.
The atmosphere in Rome is electric.
Credit: Getty
Italy 24-29 France
78. France are awarded penalty much to the despair of the home contingent.
Italy penalised for being overly keen as they try grabbing at the ball.
The hosts manage to turn it over but France manage to stop them in their tracks.
Italy 24-29 France
76. If France manage to win this game, they will feel they got away with one here.
They were not expecting such a close encounter.
Italy have shown the rugby world they are no longer the whipping boys of this competition.
Italy 24-29 France
74. Allan puts the ball wide of the French posts.
Moments like that can be so telling.
They are still within an unconverted try with the clock running down.
Italy 24-29 France
72. French indiscipline costs them dearly once again.
The referee awards Italy a penalty,
Opting to go for the posts, to get themselves within touching distance once again.
Italy 24-29 France
70. Italy have not given up on this one.
Pinning France back to their own twenty-two.
France manage to punt the ball clear to the halfway line.
Credit: Getty Italy 24-29 France
68. Ramos duly converts the try to break Italian hearts.
The lead they worked so hard for, taken away in an instant.
Some great French handling, absorbing the tackles, allowing Jalibert to get over the line.
Try - Matthieu Jalibert (France)
Italy 24-22 France
66. France kick into the corner, looking to put pressure on the hosts.
It is important that Italy can show a good defence here after working so hard to take the lead.
The French maul drive forward.
Italy 24-22 France
64. Italy have the put in on the scrum just on halfway.
Once again France are penalised.
Capuozzo plays a tactical kick, putting the French backs under immense pressure.
Italy 24-22 France
62. We could be about to witness the biggest upset of this year's Six Nations here.
Italy has the bit between their teeth.
Attacking the French, once again with a penalty advantage.
Penalty - Thomas Allan (Italy)
Italy 21-22 France
60. France are penalised for an offside, much to the annoyance of the French who had broke clear for a run through to the Italian line.
This time, Italy opt to put some points on the board.
It will be important they take advantage of this French yellow card.
Italy 21-22 France
58. France have a chance to add more points to the board but Ramos slides it wide of the posts.
Rare sight for such a dependable player.
Italy drive forward and move breaks down so the referee brings it back for an Italian penalty.
The hosts take the chance to find touch.
Credit: Getty Italy 21-22 France
56. France are paying the price for poor discipline.
Italy are in the driving seat at the moment.
The French manage to win the Italian lineout.
Italy 21-22 France
54. Shaun Edwards is not looking happy on the touchline.
Italy steal the ball from a France lineout right on their own line.
The hosts clear the ball but are unable to find touch.
Penaud chips one over the backs and almost gets on the end of his own kick to score but knocks the ball on.
Penalty try (Italy)
Italy 14-22 France
52. TMO is checking this one.
Italy definitely didn't ground the ball but they have decided a penalty try is the outcome.
Ollivon also receives a yellow card for his toubles.
Italy 14-22 France
50. Quick offloads are so important in the modern game.
You draw the tackle in and immediately give yourself a number overload.
The referee brings it back for an Italian penalty.
The home side kick for touch, Allan getting it within inches of the French corner with a sublime kick.
Italy 14-22 France
48. Ramos sends the ball sailing through the uprights.
For all the Italians' hard work, they undo it all with some poor discipline.
They win the ball back from kick off, with a chance to come forward themselves.
Credit: Getty Penalty - Thomas Ramos (France)
Italy 14-19 France
46. Italy turn the ball over once again but the referee pulls it back for a French penalty.
The Italians are straying offside far too often.
You cannot gift a side like France chance to score points so freely.
Italy 14-19 France
44. Italy are managing to hold firm in defence.
France work through the phases but Bruno wins the ball back for Italy.
The hosts kick clear, giving themselves a breather.
