France, Italy share spoils

Lille – Paolo Garbisi (above) failed with a last-gasp penalty as Italy drew 13-13 against France in the Six Nations yesterday, adding more pressure on the hosts’ head coach Fabien Galthie and his side.

Jonathan Danty was shown a red card for Les Bleus before Garbisi hit the post with an 82nd minute shot at goal in Lille.

Italy were trailing 13-6 with just 10 minutes left when Ange Capuozzo went over for a try, converted by Garbisi.

Garbisi was then handed the chance to claim Italy’s first win over France in more than a decade, and a first in the Six Nations on French soil.

However, his tough-looking effort came back off the upright and the Italians had to settle for a share of the spoils against a relieved France.

“It was gutting to see that hit the post, but I don’t think that takes away from the performance that the boys put in there,” Italy No 8 Ross Vintcent told ITV.

The result means France’s hangover from a failed home Rugby World Cup continues before a trip to Wales in a fortnight’s time with their Six Nations title hopes over.

“This is a painful moment for us,” admitted Galthie.

Galthie handed the 145kg, 19-year-old lock Posolo Tuilagi his first Test start and kept faith with his under-fire half-backs Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert and out-of-form centres Gael Fickou and Danty.

Italy’s former Les Bleus attack coach Gonzalo Quesada made six changes from 11 February’s 36-0 hammering at tournament favourites Ireland and named five players among his backs based in the French Top 14. –