The two teams have, since 2007, competed for the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy and twice since have the Italians upset their much-fancied French opponents.
But those wins, in 2011 and 2013, feel a long time ago and both came in Rome: Italy have not beaten France on the road since 1997.
France have two points to their name already in this year’s Six Nations but both came as a result of narrow losses to Ireland and Scotland respectively, something Italy can only dream of after thrashings by England and then the Irish too.
- France make 11 changes after night out in Edinburgh earns disciplinary action
- Gabrillagues scores first try
- Italy hit back with penalty try
France 14 – Italy 10 LIVE
PENALTY ITALY! (Allan 50′)
Former Scot Tommy Allan is on the scoreboard for the day (the penalty try’s conversion, of course, is automatically awarded now). France remain completely unable to kick, pass or scrummage accurately. Italy look a little toothless.
It’s like can’t play, won’t play.
PENALTY FRANCE! (Machenaud 46′)
France extend their lead – but only inspite of themselves. Some fine counter-rucking earns them a HUGE overlap and they are four on none from 20 metres… only for Beauxis to throw it away.
Italy’s exit strategy isn’t good enough though and France get a chance for three – not five – minutes later and take it. Still very ugly.
SECOND HALF
No changes at half-time really, other than that Guirado has passed the HIA he was ordered to have a minute before half-time.
PENALTY FRANCE! (Machenaud 40′)
An enormous Bastareaud steal in the midfield leads to a France break and the kick in behind is swept up by Violi, but he is penalised for holding onto the ball on the ground on his own tryline. This time the home side take the points and we go in with the French leading by four points. A poor 40 minutes of rugby in which France have failed to take advantage of a number of opportunities to score.
35 MINS
This remains something of a stalemate of incompetence as both sides struggle to get things right with the ball in hand. The physicality of the French pack is starting to show though, with Camara fending off Parisse in a big way.
PENALTY FRANCE! (Machenaud 29′)
France take the lead. One penalty is kicked into the corner but a second one is too good an opportunity and the home crowd have something to cheer. (Not that they do very much. This game has been so short of quality.)
Italy would be glad of being one point behind after just half an hour.
20 MINS
France are in bits. Serious white line fever me thinks. They have twice broken into the Italian 22 now and come within inches of a second try but Conor O’Shea’s men have done enough to test the home side’s composure – and they’ve been found wanting.
The second time, Italy turn the ball over and counter brilliantly before Machenaud kicks the ball straight out. Sloppy.
TRY ITALY! (Penalty 11’)
Well Italy thought they had struck back in kind with Ghiraldini dropping down on the line at the back of the maul.
However, Wayne Barnes has been told to look at the replay and it appears the prop has NOT scored… but the maul was collapsed illegally and the try stands.
TRY FRANCE! (Gabrillagues 6’; conversion missed by Machenaud)
France win a penalty on the edge of the Italy 22 – Bastareaud is already barrelling through the midfield – and instead of taking the point, they go to the corner and are rewarded when the drive gets them to within an inch and Paul Gabrillagues picks up from the base of the ruck to score.
Marseille is underwhelmed if I’m honest…
8pm: Here we go then! Tommaso Allan gets us underway.
7.55pm: Anthems first, two of the best of course, and tehn we will be underway in Marseille with France wearing an unfamiliar white strip. Here’s why.
7.45pm: Let’s have a look at this France team and particularly that backline.
Matthieu Jalibert was supposed to be the future at fly-half, before a knee injury forced him off 10 minutes into the opener.
Lionel Beauxis is 32 and back running the show – outside him Geoffrey Doumayrou is making just his third appearance while Mathieu Bastareaud will be his usual physical self at 13.
7.30pm: Is it ever easy being the France coach? Is it heck.
Jacques Brunel has not only had to contend with two close defeats in his first two matches as coach but also was forced to ring the changes after a night out in Edinburgh saw him take disciplinary action against a number of members of the squad.
Italy may not have the same problems with personnel but they have shipped 102 points so far in the Six Nations this year.
Big night for both sides. Kick-off is half an hour away.
