No respite for O’Shea as Azzurri go down again

ITALY will collect the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon for a second straight season after defeat to France at the Stadio Olimpico.

Coach Conor O’Shea’s side stunned England a fortnight ago, for long periods looking like causing a shock at Twickenham.

The Azzurri reverted to traditional tactics yet suffered a 10th consecutive Six Nations home loss while Les Bleus won away in the competition for the first time in two years, since their last visit to Rome.

Italy paid the price of missing many more tackles than their opponents.

France led 16-11 at the break as midway through the first half Gael Fickou cancelled out Sergio Parisse’s early try.

A try for recalled wing Virimi Vakatawa early in the second period pulled the visitors clear and, having survived intense home pressure, scored again through Louis Picamoles and Brice Dulin to earn a bonus point. Angelo Esposito crossed for a late consolation.

In glorious sunshine France handed a debut to young flanker Fabien Sanconnie in one of four alterations to the starting line-up that lost to Ireland.

The hosts started well and Canna made an immediate impact, selling a fourthminute dummy deep in France’s 22 and passing to Parisse who had a simple task to score on the left.

Five minutes later Lopez reduced the advantage, slotting a penalty from in front of the posts.

Canna and Lopez exchanged straightforward penalties just before France went ahead in the 22nd minute and were never caught again.

Attacking from deep, Les Bleus produced their first flowing move, which resulted in Fickou going under the posts after he dummied just outside Italy’s 22.