France beat Italy comeback for Six Nations victory
PARIS: France staved off a comeback to beat Italy 35-22 on Sunday and secure their second win from two matches in this year’s Six Nations in strong winds caused by Storm Ciara.
The fixture went ahead in blustery conditions as a variety of sporting events across northern Europe were postponed due to strong winds caused by the powerful storm.
Romain Ntamack and Baptiste Serin scored the pick of les Bleus’ tries as they secured a bonus point.
“We did what we needed to do even if not everything was perfect today,” said France captain Charles Ollivon. “There are a few things to sort out up front, but it was be er at scrum time.”
Fleet-footed winger Ma eo Minozzi, replacement hooker Federico Zani and Ma ia Bellini crossed for the Azzurri who stretched their winless run in the competition to 24 matches.
“We brought a performance and we showed how strong our a ack can be,” Italy captain Luca Bigi told BBC.
“We scored a try with a driving maul and one in the last minute and we never give up. That is a positive we can bring to the next game and I’m so proud to be a part of this team.
“We conceded too many turnovers last week but we were be er today. The effort we showed on the pitch was amazing.”
The hosts’ head coach Fabien Galthie made just one change from the side which beat England last weekend as one-time international Arthur Vincent replaced injured Virimi Vakatawa at outside centre. Veteran Azzurri lock Alessandro Zanni, who was set to win his 119th cap, was ruled out 10 minutes before kick-off due to an injury suffered in the pre-match warm up, with Treviso’s Dean Budd moving up from the bench.
New Zealand born full-back Jayden Hayward started a er being among the substitutes for last Saturday’s 42-0 hammering at Wales in the tournament opener. It took just three minutes for the home side to open the scoring as fly-half Ntamack, son of ex-international Emile, slo ed a penalty goal.
The first test of the blustery conditions came three minutes later as the Azzurri spilled Anthony Bouthier’s up and under handing the hosts further good filed position.
They stayed in the Italy 22m as Ntamack grubber kicked into the visitors’ in-goal area and Thomas do ed down with one hand for his 11 try in 18 Tests a er seven minutes.
France’s second try came 10 minutes later as captain Charles Ollivon snuck over from two metres.
Ntamack missed the touchline conversion as the wind held his effort in the air before it hit the cross bar and the home side led 13-0 inside the opening quarter.
The upbeat Parisian crowd broke into a Mexican wave shortly a er but were quietened by an Azzurri response a er 25 minutes as Minozzi claimed his 10th Test try and his side’s first points of this season’s tournament.
Former Scotland under20 fly-half Tommaso Allan slo ed the extras before closing the gap to 1310 with a penalty kick seconds before the half-hour mark.
Ntamack rediscovered his kicking boots with a threepointer a er 32 minutes before Gregory Alldri put any hopes of an Italy comeback to bed just before the break. — AFP
We did what we needed to do even if not everything was perfect today. There are a few things to sort out up front, but it was be er at scrum time.
Charles Ollivon