Italy have no reply in France scrap

ROME: France overpowered a lacklustre Italy 29-0 in a scrappy Six Nations clash played in slippery conditions yesterday to recover from back-to-back defeats to Ireland and Wales.

In a dismal match littered with 37 handling errors, the hosts missed two early penalties before two Camille Lopez penalties and one from Scott Spedding gave France a 9-0 half-time lead.

The second half was a slight improvement as Yoann Maestri and Mathieu Bastareaud scored the game’s only tries, while Jules Plisson kicked two penalties and two conversions after replacing Lopez, who has a knee injury.

Sergio Parisse made a record 112th appearance for Italy, surpassing Marco Bortolami’s record, but it was an afternoon he will want to forget.

Italy’s problems began when Tomasso Allan, brought in at flyhalf after Kelly Haimona pulled out of the match through injury, tweaked his groin in the warm-up and began the game with strapping.

Allan, wincing after sending the first penalty wide, went off in the 14th minutes and was replaced by Luciano Orquera, who immediately struck Italy’s second penalty against the post.

Plisson extended the French lead at the start of the second half after Parisse was penalised for not releasing.

France produced the first decent move of the match, sparked by Spedding’s run and ending with a try by Maestri which was converted by Plisson.

Plisson kicked France further ahead as they took control and Bastareaud’s try, again converted by Plisson, completed the French win.

France, who visit England for their final game on Saturday, have four points while Italy, who host Wales, have two. England, Ireland and Wales all have six points. – Reuters