Italy v France Match Reports
France scored 29 unanswered points as they beat Italy in Rome and retained the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy. An error-strewn first half saw France go into the break with a 9-0 lead over their hosts. France then dominated the second half with a powerful forward display, scoring two tries through lock Yoann Maestri and replacement centre Mathieu Bastareaud. The resounding win keeps alive France's slim hopes of winning the championship. A selection of match reports is listed below:
- BBC: France too good for poor Italy
- Guardian: France forwards take firm grip on Italy to rain on Sergio Parisse’s parade
- Independent: France keep Six Nations title hopes alive with win in Rome
- Telegraph: Yoann Maestri caps a rare glimpse of old flair in comedy of errors
- Daily Mail: Sloppy clash sees Philippe Saint-Andre's men maintain slim chance of winning Six Nations title
- Sky Sports: France ease to 29-0 Six Nations victory over Italy in Rome
- ESPN: France ease past Italy in dire affair
- RTE: France crush Italy with minimal effort
- RBS 6 Nations: France return to winning ways in Rome
Italy v France Match Highlights
Italy v France Match Statistics
Italy 0 (0)
France 29 (9)
Tries: Maestri, Bastareaud
Conversions: Plisson (2)
Penalties: Lopez (2), Spedding, Plisson (2)
Man of the Match: Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Italy Team Line-up
Forwards
- 1 Matias Aguero
- 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
- 3 Dario Chistolini
- 4 George Biagi
- 5 Joshua Furno
- 6 Francesco Minto
- 7 Samuela Vunisa
- 8 Sergio Parisse (Captain)
Backs
- 9 Edoardo Gori
- 10 Tommaso Allan
- 11 Giovanbattista Venditti
- 12 Andrea Masi
- 13 Luca Morisi
- 14 Leonardo Sarto
- 15 Luke McLean
Replacements
- 16 Andrea Manici
- 17 Alberto De Marchi
- 18 Lorenzo Cittadini
- 19 Quintin Geldenhuys
- 20 Marco Barbini
- 21 Guglielmo Palazzani
- 22 Luciano Orquera
- 23 Enrico Bacchin
France Team Line-up
Forwards
- 1 Eddy Ben Arous
- 2 Guilhem Guirado
- 3 Nicolas Mas
- 4 Alexandre Flanquart
- 5 Yoann Maestri
- 6 Thierry Dusautoir (Captain)
- 7 Bernard Le Roux
- 8 Loann Goujon
Backs
- 9 Sebastien Tillous-Borde
- 10 Camille Lopez
- 11 Noa Nakaitaci
- 12 Maxime Mermoz
- 13 Gael Fickou
- 14 Yoann Huget
- 15 Scott Spedding
Replacements
- 16 Benjamin Kayser
- 17 Rabath Slimani
- 18 Vincent Debaty
- 19 Romain Taofifenua
- 20 Damien Chouly
- 21 Rory Kockott
- 22 Jules Plisson
- 23 Mathieu Bastareaud