Bastareaud batters Italy

FRANCE put a harrowing start to their Six Nations campaign behind them thanks to a barnstorming display from Mathieu Bastareaud. This was the first time Les Blues had played a championship match outside Paris. The locals will have seen better games but this was a much-needed win. Narrow losses to Ireland and Scotland had put huge pressure on the French, with the late-night antics of several squad members in Edinburgh only compounding their misery. Jacques Brunel made 11 changes to his matchday 23 and for much of the first half France played like a side suffering the effects of all the recent upheaval. Paul Gabrillagues, on his tournament debut, muscled over for an early try before Italy responded with a surging driving maul which led to referee Wayne Barnes awarding a penalty try. Yacouba Camara and the recalled Bastareaud were shining lights for the hosts as a brace of Maxime Macheneaud penalties secured an 11-7 half-time lead. Macheneaud and Tommaso Allan traded penalties during a tense and error-strewn third quarter. Fittingly, France made the crucial breakthrough thanks to a sublime offload from Bastareaud which saw Hugo Bonneval cross on the hour. Marco Tauleigne’s searing midfield break established a prime attacking platform for France and Bastareaud did not need a second invitation to barge his way over for a deserved try before Matteo Minnozzi scored a late Italian consolation.