France’s fly-half Frederic Michalak is tackled by Italy’s winger Luke McLean (left) during the Six Nations International Rugby Union match at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, yesterday.
ROME: Italy produced a stunning all-round performance to shock France 23-18 at the Stadio Olimpico yesterday and blast the Six Nations competition wide open.
More usually contenders for the competition’s wooden spoon, Italy proved their victory over the French two seasons ago was no fluke as they defended well and took their chances against the 2011 World Cup runners-up.
Tries from captain Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni, plus 10 points from Man-of-the-Match Luciano Orquera and three from substitute Kris Burton led them to victory, just their third ever over the French.
France were far from their best and despite tries from Louis Picamoles and Benjamin Fall and eight points from a rejuvenated Frederick Michalak, they were deservedly beaten by Jacques Brunel’s effervescent side.
Italy’s captain Parisse led from the front, putting his team ahead with only four minutes gone with a spectacular counter-attacking try.
The move was started when Luke McLean recovered a France kick and burst through the first line of defence.
The ball was fed to the magnificent Orquera, who offloaded to his captain and then converted the try.
France responded with intense pressure, and a try bundled over the line by Picamoles looked to have levelled the scores, only for Michalak to miss an easy conversion.
Orquera extended Italy’s lead to 10-5 with a smart drop goal on the quarter hour and the number 10 continued his hot form three minutes later with a converted penalty given for Maxime Mermoz’s offside offence.
Italy’s defence did brilliantly to hold back France’s powerful attack in the first half hour, only conceding a 27th-minute Michalak penalty after France had a Yoann Huget try denied by the TMO a minute before.However, Philippe Saint Andre’s team took the lead three minutes later, Benjamin Fall taking the ball from Huget and scoring a try under the posts which Michalak had no problem converting to give France a 15-13 halftime lead in yesterday’s match.
Flyhalf Michalak gave France a five-point advantage with a penalty for collapsed scrum with 50 minutes gone.
France looked to be dominating but a sudden burst of pressure from Italy resulted in Castrogiovanni scoring his 12th international try on 56 minutes which was comfortably converted by Orquera for a 20-18 scoreline.
Burton, gave his side a five-point lead 12 minutes later with a deft drop goal.
With a huge crowd roaring Ireland kept their opponents at bay for an incredible win and a dream start to the Six Nations for their French coach Brunel against his countrymen.
REUTERS
