Italy v France

:01:34. > :01:39.Today we've certainly seen the He's done it.

:01:40. > :01:49.Double 12 for the title. ? I've never seen anything like it

:01:50. > :01:53.

:01:53. > :02:03.in my life. He is now the World A try. It's over, Munster have won.

:02:03. > :02:21.

:02:21. > :02:31.Here they come. They have it through Andrea Masi. Oh, yes, it is.

:02:31. > :02:33.

:02:34. > :02:40.The biggest win in Italian rugby Well, good afternoon, from a

:02:40. > :02:48.beautiful spring day in Rome. That, of course two, years ago, the

:02:48. > :02:51.decaying intimacy of the Stadio flam inco-.

:02:51. > :02:57.The French arriving with a certain amount of trep digs given what

:02:57. > :03:02.happened here a couple of years ago. -- trepidation.

:03:02. > :03:06.The Italians proimsing a game of panache today.

:03:06. > :03:12.Skills associated with the French. The new French coach are promising

:03:12. > :03:16.France are going it turn the clock back and play like they used to. So

:03:16. > :03:19.an intriguing final chapter to be written in the first weekend. The

:03:19. > :03:27.bandwagon roles into the eternal city having made a spectacular

:03:27. > :03:37.start at Cardiff and an interesting one at Twickenham. We have Keith

:03:37. > :03:41.Wood and Jeremy Guscott. And we are delighted to have tomas here.

:03:41. > :03:46.Those who weren't there two years ago wish they had been. It was one

:03:46. > :03:50.of those occasions. Six nations is about creating memories on and off

:03:50. > :03:54.the field. That was one on the field. The emotion shared

:03:54. > :03:59.afterwards from the coach, tears streaming down his cheeks, and it

:03:59. > :04:08.the players, it means a lot to them. It means Italy is still in the

:04:08. > :04:13.competition. They are making their mark totally. He wants Italy to win.

:04:13. > :04:17.When we cost against Italy we thought - did we get so low or did

:04:17. > :04:21.they get better? The physicality of the Italians were there since many

:04:21. > :04:26.years and they are well-organised. And they have a French coach. This

:04:26. > :04:31.might be hard today. That game was nice and cosy and had a bearpit

:04:31. > :04:36.element. We are now in a grander environment. Is this for the

:04:36. > :04:38.benefit of Italy? Or does it mean it's less intimidating for the

:04:38. > :04:43.opposition I think this is fantastic for Italy. This is a

:04:43. > :04:46.place where you want it play an international, with 60,000 or

:04:47. > :04:54.70,000 supporters it brings the game to all of the population of

:04:54. > :04:59.Italy. We kick-off at 3.00pm. Let's reflect on the two games from

:04:59. > :05:09.yesterday starting at Twickenham. We had 108 points during the course

:05:09. > :05:24.

:05:24. > :05:34.of yesterday. 56 of those came at try. England edging closer. A great

:05:34. > :05:44.

:05:44. > :05:54.with a furious place. Time there to get it to Wood. He

:05:54. > :06:13.

:06:13. > :06:23.must score. find the flier there.

:06:23. > :06:25.

:06:25. > :06:35.A man in front of him. Ashton chasing this down. Stuart scores

:06:35. > :06:46.

:06:46. > :06:50.You were there. You have had a night to reflect on the veepbts

:06:50. > :06:51.yesterday. What is your assessment of England -- the events of

:06:51. > :06:57.of England -- the events of yesterday?

:06:57. > :07:02.I thought they played well. For me it was, could they continue from

:07:02. > :07:08.the New Zealand game? They did that. Could owe wen Farrell move on from

:07:08. > :07:13.where he was? He did -- Owen. He Zhe played well in the face of

:07:13. > :07:18.the defence. That meant England could win the game-line battle.

:07:18. > :07:22.They really have progressed. So another tick in the box and an

:07:22. > :07:25.enormous game next weekend against Ireland. But I think, all round,

:07:25. > :07:30.it's hard to see a weakness in the England side. Interesting in some

:07:30. > :07:34.of the papers I read on the plane coming over today saying as a team

:07:34. > :07:40.there may have been deficiencies in the Scotland performance but as

:07:40. > :07:44.individuals, a lot had good games. I though the so. Scotland we

:07:44. > :07:47.thought the halfbacks would get there and there would be problems.

:07:47. > :07:50.It proved so, Jackson wasn't that great. But England ignored

:07:51. > :07:55.everything, all the stuff from Scotland and Telford particularly.

:07:55. > :08:00.They stuck to their own game. It is refreshing to see a team do their

:08:00. > :08:05.own thing rather than worry about the opposition. Were you about to

:08:05. > :08:08.chip in? They were very composed. They only played in third gear for

:08:08. > :08:12.the whole time. They took their time and took a chance whenever

:08:12. > :08:17.they had to. They seemed comfortable all the way towards the

:08:17. > :08:22.end. Well the game of the first day undeniably was the match in Cardiff.

:08:22. > :08:32.When it comes to March 16th and last game, we may well reflect that

:08:32. > :08:49.

:08:49. > :08:59.the first game of the Championship over for the opening try.

:08:59. > :09:34.

:09:34. > :09:44.Zebo, fantastic footballing skills Brian O'Driscoll, back in

:09:44. > :10:04.

:10:04. > :10:09.Low Halfpenny scores. You may award the try.

:10:10. > :10:14.Well after a pauseity of tries last year, pwhen we only had 40-odd

:10:14. > :10:18.compared to 07 a decade ago, a dozen tries on the opening weekend:

:10:18. > :10:24.one more match obviously to go. one more match obviously to go.

:10:24. > :10:34.Kick-off here is at 3.00pm. I'm sure Ireland will be delighted

:10:34. > :11:13.

:11:13. > :11:17.but all the headlines focused on Ireland were very clinical. They

:11:17. > :11:21.threw caution to the window the second half and showed what they

:11:21. > :11:28.could do. With more composure, they could have got closer to it. But

:11:28. > :11:38.you cannot give an international side of -- that start. It was a

:11:38. > :11:40.

:11:40. > :11:45.tough week for at the Welsh boys. Were he start with Hook next week?

:11:45. > :11:51.It will be a big week at the Welsh training camp and a tough game next

:11:51. > :11:55.week at France. Just a final word about Ireland for

:11:55. > :11:58.the moment. We should mention the have an interactive forum coming up

:11:58. > :12:03.after the game. Any thoughts that she might happen to have about the

:12:03. > :12:07.matches yesterday and what happened this afternoon -- what will happen

:12:08. > :12:16.this afternoon, e-mail as, text does. Diouf, from Ireland's point

:12:16. > :12:19.of view, it is a huge game next week. -- Keith. It is huge. Even

:12:19. > :12:23.though they were hungry and clinical at the start, they took

:12:23. > :12:26.their foot off the pedal in the second half. The fact they did

:12:26. > :12:32.against Wales is a good thing for them because I don't think they

:12:32. > :12:42.will take anything for granted next time. Let's hear from the man in

:12:42. > :12:46.

:12:46. > :12:51.Finally you are getting your Six Nations under way. Resort to do

:12:51. > :13:00.very good games yesterday. Can we expect something similar today?

:13:00. > :13:03.hope so. They were two fantastic games. Two good games. We are

:13:03. > :13:07.looking to start our competition. It will be a tough game against

:13:08. > :13:15.Italy. Two years ago, they beat us here. We are very focused on this

:13:15. > :13:25.game. He touched on this defeat two years ago which meant so much to

:13:25. > :13:29.

:13:29. > :13:35.the Italians. In the Six Nations, we note each game -- we know that

:13:35. > :13:42.each game is not easy. We want to start very well because it will be

:13:42. > :13:47.a tough competition. You were relatively new to the job a year

:13:47. > :13:53.ago, at the start of the Six Nations, but you've had time. Is

:13:53. > :13:56.this the settles French team you wanted? I hope so. We are more

:13:56. > :14:06.consistent than last year. We won for Margaret games consecutively

:14:06. > :14:15.and we want to carry on like this. -- four games. We know it will be

:14:15. > :14:25.very tough. It will be very physical. Best of luck. Fag you

:14:25. > :14:29.

:14:29. > :14:31.very much. -- thank you. Talk us through the side. We did very well

:14:31. > :14:41.during the autumn last -- autumn international, especially against

:14:41. > :14:47.

:14:47. > :14:56.Australia. Against Argentina, we and he will have to win at the

:14:56. > :15:02.line-outs. Thierry Dusautoir, the former captain, he will try to

:15:03. > :15:08.break the lines. He is one of the key men in the team today. We have

:15:08. > :15:13.Maxime Machenaud at scrum half. Frederic Michalak will have to

:15:13. > :15:18.break the line and organised the kicks. In the centre, you have

:15:19. > :15:28.Florian Fritz, who does normally around 20 tackles. In the back

:15:29. > :15:37.

:15:37. > :15:40.three, they will be tested under Maybe England have found the

:15:40. > :15:45.successor to Jonny Wilkinson. As far as the French are concerned,

:15:45. > :15:53.they have found that No. 10 jersey a bit of a conundrum. In France,

:15:53. > :16:01.they know the work of Number 10. France is the land of Jonny

:16:01. > :16:11.Wilkinson. It's just that France don't make their own sumptuous fly-

:16:11. > :16:12.

:16:12. > :16:22.halves, they have always been grumbles about various players.

:16:22. > :16:31.Most number tens by First Choice are scrum-halves. France do scrum-

:16:31. > :16:41.halves. This player was a strong character who wagged a finger at

:16:41. > :16:43.

:16:43. > :16:48.the giant forwards. The France do centres of legend. The number 10 is

:16:48. > :16:52.a link between the boss and the best. Between nine and the centres.

:16:52. > :17:01.It is no surprise France are a little sniffy about the fly-half

:17:01. > :17:05.position. There is the proof of assorted Britons, Argentinians who

:17:05. > :17:10.are cluttering up the No. 10 jersey in France. It's like the old days

:17:10. > :17:14.of county cricket will be had endless West Indians. Is this good

:17:14. > :17:19.for the French game? It is ambiguous because when you learn

:17:20. > :17:24.how to play as a fly half in France, they tell you not to kick the ball.

:17:24. > :17:28.I know about that because I had two left feet. All these guys, they

:17:28. > :17:33.come up through France and their clinical. They know how to organise

:17:33. > :17:38.the game. We rely on the number nines to lead the team but the

:17:38. > :17:41.number tens, we want them to kick penalties and kicks to the posts.

:17:41. > :17:45.For the French, it is always ambiguous, how do we want to play

:17:45. > :17:50.the game? That is why there are always questions. What is your take,

:17:50. > :17:54.Michalak? It is his first start for seven years. He has played at No.

:17:54. > :17:58.942 long. He did very well during the autumn international and had a

:17:58. > :18:02.good game against Australia. He is the line breaker and has the

:18:02. > :18:06.confidence with his team-mates. I think he is really well-organised.

:18:06. > :18:12.He can pass the ball quite well. His kicking has really improved.

:18:12. > :18:22.Now he will have all the pressure. What is it like for the rest of the

:18:22. > :18:29.squad, that Michalak has picked out 10 and drum Doogue -- Tring took

:18:29. > :18:33.his picture and another at number? When you play for France, you are

:18:33. > :18:40.expected as a hooker to play full- back. I could have done it myself.

:18:40. > :18:47.I think it is really hard. T C 10 players... I think it is wrong. It

:18:47. > :18:51.is very hard to depend on one or two players. When you play number

:18:51. > :18:58.10, you need confidence. You need to know how the other players will

:18:58. > :19:02.behave. Is this an area where Italy will target? They will try to put

:19:02. > :19:06.some pressure on him but if the game is organised, Michalak is an

:19:06. > :19:13.average summer sun. If the game is disorganised, he is well the best

:19:13. > :19:20.in the world. They need to move the ball across the line and tried to

:19:20. > :19:27.make the brakes. If Italy are going to target Michalak, you suspect a

:19:27. > :19:34.France will target Orquera. It has been their Achilles for many years.

:19:34. > :19:37.It is sad. They have struggled. However, they make up for that with

:19:37. > :19:44.the experience of their pack. They are so good, it challenges every

:19:44. > :19:47.single side. There are no mugs, the Italians. They always put a day

:19:47. > :19:51.good show now. It gives an indication of how things are

:19:51. > :19:55.changing. We get a six Nations special pull-out in the newspapers

:19:55. > :20:01.over here now. An interesting piece with Danielle to Rossi who plays

:20:01. > :20:07.for Rome here. He says he's a huge rugby fan and his great regret

:20:07. > :20:14.about football is the fans cannot mix. In Italy, there has been an

:20:14. > :20:18.issue with violence. The fans cannot mix with one another. There

:20:18. > :20:22.is one player in his Italian team that has football like status in

:20:22. > :20:25.terms of his profile and the way that the fans adore him and that is

:20:25. > :20:35.somebody who every side in the world would love to have in their

:20:35. > :21:01.

:21:01. > :21:08.What would be a success for Italy over the next two months? Success

:21:08. > :21:16.for us is to try to get more than one victory. Last time, we had more

:21:16. > :21:22.than one victory, that was in 2007 when we beat Scotland and Wales.

:21:22. > :21:27.This year, we have the opportunity to play three matches at home. We

:21:27. > :21:33.don't fix an objective but we want to be able to get victories. Now it

:21:33. > :21:38.is more difficult. What kind of progress do you feel you have made

:21:38. > :21:47.and the new coach? Since it Jacques Brunel arrived, we have changed the

:21:47. > :21:53.way we play. The we were a defensive team and we didn't take

:21:53. > :21:56.to the risks. To win matches, you need to take risks. That is the

:21:56. > :22:01.vision of our new coach and I think everybody agrees with him. This is

:22:01. > :22:09.the way that we play. In the last match against Australia, we got a

:22:09. > :22:12.better result and with the success, we continued to play in this way.

:22:12. > :22:22.The first match against France at home. Everyone remembers the

:22:22. > :22:24.

:22:24. > :22:29.wonderful win for Italy two years ago. Yes. Sensational stuff! The

:22:29. > :22:36.biggest win in Italian rugby history. For me and for everyone,

:22:36. > :22:46.it was a huge victory two years ago but from a mental point of view,

:22:46. > :22:50.

:22:50. > :22:55.yes, we can win against these teams. Two years ago, I was able to look

:22:55. > :22:58.my team mates in France in their faces! We have friends at home

:22:58. > :23:02.again and it is difficult but we were really believe in ourselves

:23:02. > :23:07.and we think we are able to beat France again. What ambitions do you

:23:07. > :23:11.still have in rugby go for it? Actually want to one day be in a

:23:11. > :23:16.team which can compete in this competition, with confidence in a

:23:16. > :23:20.team and the young Italian players. Probably three or four years' time.

:23:20. > :23:25.We will have the ability to win the competition. Why not this year?

:23:25. > :23:30.Five or six years ago, we said probably Scotland we can be tough

:23:30. > :23:35.but there is no way to beat England or France or Ireland or Wales. From

:23:35. > :23:45.a mental point of view, we know that we can beat every team.

:23:45. > :23:51.

:23:52. > :24:01.One of the big battles today is Perisse, some of his skill, he is

:24:01. > :24:09.like an artist. Camels as far more brittle. -- picker miles. He is

:24:09. > :24:19.brittle. The elbow fantastic to watch in different ways. -- they

:24:19. > :24:24.are both fantastic. Perisse might be the only Italian player who

:24:25. > :24:28.would be the first choice in any other of the nations. When you look

:24:28. > :24:31.out the league table, you realise that despite the fact that tenants

:24:31. > :24:41.are able to channel most of their players and two teams, they are

:24:41. > :24:45.

:24:45. > :24:48.In terms of the pool of top players, it is not expanding at the rate

:24:48. > :24:53.they would hope for. If the way the game is going in Europe, you have

:24:53. > :24:57.the best players will Islands now, from England, all Migrating to

:24:57. > :25:06.France. It is difficult for Italy to contain their best players. I

:25:06. > :25:10.still think, I look at Treviso and the results... Treviso have won

:25:10. > :25:17.twice against Toulouse. We have an Italian voice to guide us this

:25:17. > :25:22.afternoon and he is with Jill Douglas. I have the Italian a loch

:25:22. > :25:26.with me today. When will we see you back on a pitch? Hopefully next

:25:26. > :25:30.week how will be back at my club. My shoulder is much better now. I

:25:31. > :25:40.will be fit next week and he knows, maybe in the last two dames of the

:25:41. > :25:48.

:25:48. > :25:58.Six Nations. They take a look at row. And a very physical second-row.

:25:58. > :25:59.

:25:59. > :26:04.Sergio Perisse, one of the best back rows in the Six Nations. The

:26:04. > :26:14.wavy half-backs man is the kicking game is crucial today. Midfield,

:26:14. > :26:17.

:26:17. > :26:23.Sgarbi and Benvenuti, they will test defensively. Venditti who is a

:26:23. > :26:27.player who can bring good things. Just a couple of changes. He is

:26:27. > :26:32.there a belief amongst this Italian team that you cannot set France and

:26:32. > :26:37.repeat the win for two years ago? Yes. They really believe they have

:26:37. > :26:42.a good game today. The stadium is unbelievable and this occasion, the

:26:42. > :26:46.Italian team have played better. It is down to France, the way they

:26:46. > :26:50.play the game, especially the first 20 minutes will to dictate the

:26:51. > :27:00.result. If Italy can build the structure and their game, if they

:27:01. > :27:02.

:27:02. > :27:07.stay in a game in the second half, sunshine here. Great atmosphere.

:27:07. > :27:12.And it is an historic day. You can probably see behind me there are

:27:12. > :27:16.getting on for 400 Italian internationals dating back to 1929,

:27:16. > :27:25.being presented with caps to mark their contribution to Italian rugby.

:27:25. > :27:28.The oldest gentleman here. He won 17 caps in the 1960s but his

:27:28. > :27:36.father played in the first international ever played which

:27:36. > :27:43.Italy lost 9-3 to Spain in Barcelona. And we have a cap at the

:27:43. > :27:48.moment that the 297th person ever to represent Italy belongs to this

:27:48. > :27:52.cap. He is the father of the technical director of the Italian

:27:52. > :27:57.rugby union. A great idea. Magnificent. They are all going to

:27:57. > :28:02.stand behind the Italian team today to sing the anthem. How cool is

:28:02. > :28:12.that? Prospects for the match? If Italy are in with a shout? Do you

:28:12. > :28:14.

:28:14. > :28:18.think they'll get a match, but if France get off to a good start?

:28:18. > :28:23.would love them to continue like they did in the game two years ago

:28:23. > :28:26.and get that try and play to the end. Don't give up. Get the try and

:28:26. > :28:31.conversion. Don't throw the game away and give penalties to France.

:28:31. > :28:37.They have to play into the doubt in the French minds, remind them of

:28:37. > :28:42.how hard it was and how bad it was here too years ago to lose and to

:28:42. > :28:49.see if they can get a chink. That's maybe all that's needed. That's the

:28:49. > :28:55.difficulty for Mitchell -- Michalak. That is will be where the pressure

:28:55. > :29:00.comes from him. And we are talking about taking France to a previous

:29:00. > :29:05.era where they played with dash and verve. Is it easy to change a mind-

:29:05. > :29:11.set? Yes, but it comes with victories. If you win games you can

:29:11. > :29:15.build on something. Saint-Andre is a winner. I think it

:29:15. > :29:22.is going to be a good tournament. love the way sometimes the French

:29:22. > :29:25.think. I was chatting to Thomas earlier. France had a brilliant

:29:25. > :29:31.autumn series. Here is the reception. Not surprisingly. They

:29:31. > :29:38.haven't got very far to come. A big reception for the French team.

:29:38. > :29:47.! As an Englishman you think - wow, three great victories, brilliant

:29:47. > :29:53.against Australia, and Argentina and Samoa. But for the French, it

:29:53. > :30:02.may be be like, that they don't seem to be up.

:30:02. > :30:04.Never trust Italians and French. Are the French more vulnerable?

:30:04. > :30:09.Especially against Italians, you have all the players, no injuries.

:30:09. > :30:15.They want to build on something. Brunel, the coach, knows how to

:30:15. > :30:25.play the French. Here is the reception for Sergio Parisse and

:30:25. > :30:32.

:30:32. > :30:37.the Italians. internationals from the past seven

:30:37. > :30:41.decades in Italian rugby. No pressure, guys.

:30:41. > :30:47.You've got the entire history of your sport on the touchline today.

:30:47. > :30:51.Keith, thoughts? Before we came today, I thought France would be -

:30:51. > :30:56.would do very well. Win, at a canter. But now with the nerves

:30:56. > :31:01.that Thomas is talking Bnow with the history that is here, I think

:31:01. > :31:05.it could be closer. I will say France by 10. I agree with Thomas.

:31:05. > :31:12.OK, well the sides I lining up for the anthems.

:31:12. > :31:22.Two great anthems, after which Jonathan Davies and Alistair will

:31:22. > :31:40.

:31:41. > :31:50.# Le jour de gloire est arrive! # Contre nous de la tyrannie.

:31:51. > :31:54.

:31:54. > :32:00.# L'etendard sanglant est leve. # L'etendard sanglant est leve!

:32:00. > :32:03.# Entendez-vous dans les campagnes. # Mugir ces feroces soldats.

:32:04. > :32:07.# Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras. # Egorger vos fils et vos

:32:07. > :32:11.compagnes! # Aux armes, citoyens.

:32:11. > :32:21.# Formez vos bataillons. # Marchons, marchons!

:32:21. > :32:39.

:32:39. > :32:46.# Qu'un sang impur. # L'Italia s'e desta.

:32:46. > :32:56.# Dell'elmo di Scipio. # S'e cinta la testa.

:32:56. > :33:08.

:33:08. > :33:15.# Dov'e la vittoria? # Le porga la chioma.

:33:15. > :33:22.# Che schiava di Roma. # Iddio la creo.

:33:22. > :33:29.# Fratelli d'Italia. # L'Italia s'e desta.

:33:29. > :33:34.# Dell'elmo di Scipio. # S'e cinta la testa.

:33:34. > :33:39.# Dov'e la vittoria? # Le porga la chioma.

:33:39. > :33:43.# Che schiava di Roma. # Iddio la creo.

:33:43. > :33:53.# Stringiamoci a coorte. # Siam pronti alla morte.

:33:53. > :34:01.

:34:01. > :34:11.# Italia chiamo. # Stringiamoci a coorte.

:34:11. > :34:17.

:34:17. > :34:24.# Siam pronti alla morte. world rugby. Appreciated by the

:34:24. > :34:32.65,000 or so in the stadium here. The for the first time in 30 years

:34:32. > :34:38.there is not a Bergermaster in sight for Italy.

:34:38. > :34:48.The back division sees a surprise Boateng preferred at scrum-half.

:34:48. > :34:57.

:34:57. > :35:07.bringing back Dusautoir after a 12- month injury.

:35:07. > :35:15.

:35:15. > :35:23.resurgence at 10. Italy will look to Gori to add zip

:35:23. > :35:30.from the bench. The French have fire, power and bulk on their bench.

:35:30. > :35:34.And they have a calming presence in Parra.

:35:34. > :35:44.The man with the whistle is Nigel Owens of Wales. He took charge of

:35:44. > :35:51.

:35:51. > :35:55.with straight out on the full from Michalak, taken in by Masi outside

:35:55. > :35:58.the parameters of the pitch. Not the best of starts for the French

:35:58. > :36:07.number 10. Who has been enjoying himself back in international

:36:07. > :36:14.colours after a long lay-off, Jonathan? Yes,, I think we all know

:36:14. > :36:16.it'll be a fierce battle upfront. I think they want to play a more

:36:16. > :36:21.expansive game to excite the Italian crowd but that might favour

:36:21. > :36:28.the French players. I think it'll be equal at forward. The key will

:36:28. > :36:32.be at half-back. How will the Italian half-back do in the game

:36:32. > :36:36.and also how will Frederic Michalak play? If he plays well, I think

:36:36. > :36:46.France will wib. It's as simple as that.

:36:46. > :37:19.

:37:19. > :37:23.under a bit of pressure. They tried to play a little bit of football

:37:23. > :37:27.right from the start but great French defence. I think they've got

:37:28. > :37:36.to get the balance right. I know they want to play football, the

:37:36. > :37:41.Italians but they can't put themselves under pressure.

:37:41. > :37:51.1234 Maclean does the duties with a big left foot ticking it up to the

:37:51. > :38:09.

:38:09. > :38:16.good position this, for the Italians. They are trying to punch

:38:16. > :38:26.the holes around the fringes with their sizable pack. Not the best of

:38:26. > :38:49.

:38:49. > :38:56.That was good play by the French. Counter--rucking to slow the ball

:38:56. > :39:00.down. Here come the Italians again,

:39:00. > :39:10.approaching at 22 once more. The passes won't quite fall to hand and

:39:10. > :39:14.

:39:14. > :39:17.Masi has to tidy up. Castrogiovanni. He is 31 now.

:39:17. > :39:21.Possibly eying a move to the south of France. The French have to

:39:21. > :39:27.regroup. Again Parisse at the heart of things.

:39:27. > :39:37.Taken on by Minto. He popped up rather speck latively. Here come

:39:37. > :39:48.

:39:48. > :39:53.good play which McLean. This will test their fitness, both sides.

:39:53. > :40:00.long passage of play. The Italians are keeping the ball alive nicely

:40:00. > :40:05.down the right flank. Orquera has spotted a gap. He is going through

:40:05. > :40:10.the French defence. Brilliant from Italy. Here is the skipper.

:40:10. > :40:16.Fantastic. What a start for Italy. Parisse touches down for the

:40:17. > :40:23.opening score. Less than five minutes on the clock. The Olympic

:40:23. > :40:31.Stadium erupts. A fantastic try. I thought they'd lost their chance

:40:31. > :40:38.when Minto threw a wide pass but Orquera spots it and gave it early.

:40:38. > :40:43.Parisse just goes over in the corner. A great weekend of rugby

:40:43. > :40:48.continues. A fantastic try and a fantastic start for Italy. Well,

:40:48. > :40:57.what a leader this man is and has been. This is his 44th test as

:40:57. > :41:00.captain of the Italian side. His tenth international try.

:41:00. > :41:10.Multi-skilled in every department and still with plenty of pace to

:41:10. > :41:10.

:41:10. > :42:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:42:08. > :42:13.to really cement his place as the done on the part of the French.

:42:13. > :42:23.They travelled here a little bit in trepidation after their experiences

:42:23. > :42:35.

:42:36. > :42:42.a couple of years ago. The re-start Castrogiovanni. The arm is out from

:42:42. > :42:47.Nigel Owens but the counter-attack is on from Michalak. A little kick-

:42:47. > :42:52.through. Does it fall for him? No, they'll skom back for the penalty.

:42:53. > :42:58.-- come back. It is a great start for the Italians. They kept the

:42:58. > :43:02.pace, except for a loose pass by Minto but then a good kick by

:43:02. > :43:07.Mitchell. The chase wasn't that great and allowed Luke McLean to

:43:07. > :43:12.make that international break. The forward was in the defensive

:43:12. > :43:18.backline. And this is what happened. If you

:43:18. > :43:24.run it on there, if we stop it there, OK, just simple. There is

:43:24. > :43:28.the prop forward, Nicolas Mas running on. He spots him and then

:43:28. > :43:38.there is great support play and what a try. A great start for the

:43:38. > :43:43.Italians. But that's what you have got to watch. Just pick them out.

:43:43. > :43:53.Just pick a forward in the backline and have a go at him. The line-out

:43:53. > :43:59.

:43:59. > :44:05.from the ensuing penalty kick is inside the Italian 22. Szarzewski

:44:05. > :44:12.has his hands on the ball. A middle line-out. That's where they have

:44:12. > :44:18.gone most during the autumn. It's been claimed by Parisse. Not tidy

:44:18. > :44:22.but nevertheless in Italian hands. And Ghiraldini has it. He did

:44:22. > :44:32.exceptionally well, Ghiraldini. This is McLean. Under pressure,

:44:32. > :44:34.

:44:34. > :44:41.gets the kick away. Nick McLean replacing Bergomasse who is out

:44:41. > :44:45.with a knee injury. I just think in the first eight or

:44:45. > :44:53.nine minutes, they've shown a little bit more awareness, the

:44:53. > :45:03.Italians. A terrific start from Italy but it is France who are

:45:03. > :45:13.

:45:13. > :45:23.are being held for the time being by the whit-shirted Azzurri. --

:45:23. > :45:58.

:45:58. > :46:07.that is a great Kate Caswell. -- kick as well. The Forte perfect --

:46:07. > :46:12.what a perfect kick. Now, the pressure is on the Italians. The

:46:12. > :46:22.big first scrum of the game. They will want to make an impression

:46:22. > :46:22.

:46:22. > :47:47.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:47:47. > :47:57.month. He manages the ball exceptionally well. One-on-one with

:47:57. > :48:15.

:48:15. > :48:25.Teresa. That is just first-class side. They went for the drivers.

:48:25. > :48:36.

:48:36. > :48:43.record through the autumn internationals, he kicked 18 false

:48:43. > :48:53.-- 18 from 20 in November. Fife that one has drifted across the

:48:53. > :49:01.

:49:01. > :49:07.the first five minutes. Italy are under pressure. They have to be

:49:07. > :49:13.more physical. Otherwise, it creates space on the wings. In the

:49:13. > :49:23.last try, Michalak played her flat ball and it is so difficult to

:49:23. > :49:23.

:49:23. > :49:27.defend. Italy still have their noses in front. That has just gone

:49:27. > :49:37.forwards from the French. There will be an Italian at scrum very

:49:37. > :49:38.

:49:38. > :49:45.shortly. A year ago, England escaped narrowly in the blizzard.

:49:45. > :49:55.Orquera or very near the secured a draw against Australia in November.

:49:55. > :49:56.

:49:56. > :50:06.Certainly, they were holding only a six-point deficit. They are only

:50:06. > :50:41.

:50:41. > :50:48.both teams. Still with Italy. Defensively, very strong, the blue

:50:48. > :50:58.line at the moment. Approaching the 22. Working the blind side this

:50:58. > :51:14.

:51:14. > :51:19.It's very, very high. It's a very, very good! He is playing with a lot

:51:19. > :51:25.of convents and a lot depends on the stand-off. He will get good

:51:25. > :51:29.ball and a good position, he's got to decide what is good ball to kick.

:51:29. > :51:36.He is very good at taking the points. He is keeping their noses

:51:36. > :51:41.in front. The Number 10 position has had so much discussion will

:51:41. > :51:46.over the years for Italy, since Diego Dominguez retired in 2003.

:51:46. > :51:50.They've struggled to find the right man. No less than 15 fly half had

:51:51. > :52:00.been tried out in the last 10 years. Orquera has had a couple of bites

:52:01. > :52:01.

:52:01. > :52:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:52:48. > :52:58.at the cherry. Today, he is bang on Italy are still going strong. The

:52:58. > :53:25.

:53:25. > :53:29.power is there and they have the at the moment. It is slow, they

:53:29. > :53:37.kick it. Just very, very patient. Very confident in their ball-

:53:37. > :53:45.carrying ability. Perisse, as usual, is having a massive game. More

:53:45. > :53:48.importantly, there is more snap about numbers 9 and 10. There

:53:48. > :53:53.really steering this should very well. They have not been doing that

:53:53. > :53:58.in past seasons. This could be the key to today's march. The problem

:53:58. > :54:08.has always been converting that pressure, hasn't it? Maybe Orquera

:54:08. > :54:47.

:54:47. > :54:57.is going to find the solution that middle. Italy extend their lead by

:54:57. > :54:59.

:54:59. > :55:09.eight points. He has put the pressure on. He has taken the prize.

:55:09. > :55:43.

:55:43. > :55:49.the moment is coming off. Playing his rugby in the team of that is

:55:49. > :55:59.lying at the bottom of the pro 12. They collected 13 defeats in 13

:55:59. > :55:59.

:55:59. > :57:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:57:28. > :57:38.park at the moment, isn't he? The first 20 minutes, the Italians

:57:38. > :57:38.

:57:38. > :58:22.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:58:22. > :58:32.have been in control. One French, they will take it

:58:32. > :59:01.

:59:01. > :59:11.personally at scrum time. Yes. tried his best to keep it inside

:59:11. > :59:11.

:59:11. > :00:09.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:00:09. > :00:19.the game of play but a very good Approaching the 22. Better from

:00:19. > :00:29.

:00:29. > :00:39.don't think Huget wanted to go with that. It was a good thing to do. He

:00:39. > :00:40.

:00:40. > :00:43.knew that Huget was caught in the ruck. Botes tried to kick it. Here

:00:43. > :00:53.was the line-out. Huget doesn't really want to go down and Brunel

:00:53. > :00:55.

:00:55. > :01:05.is happy. Jacques Brunel has stated publicly this will be his last job

:01:05. > :01:08.

:01:08. > :01:12.in rugby. His assistant is taking on as the backs coach. We are

:01:12. > :01:17.seeing the holes the Italians are making in the close quarters. Some

:01:17. > :01:27.artistic shots of the They love the arty shots, the Italians. Just

:01:27. > :01:38.

:01:38. > :01:46.watch it. We'll see a lot of them side and driving upwards and

:01:46. > :01:52.onwards. Good defence. I thought that was very good play by the

:01:52. > :02:02.French. The dummy run. Just watch it. This is it. A great tackle.

:02:02. > :02:06.

:02:06. > :02:12.Masi comes across. Fall knew exactly what was going to happen.

:02:12. > :02:18.Yes, he created the space. A great dummy run. A scrappy performance

:02:18. > :02:23.there inside the Italian 22. Botes clears. There is a lot of pressure

:02:23. > :02:27.on each other's line-outs. It hasn't been as clean as perhaps

:02:27. > :02:37.both sides would have wanted. Terrific stuff from the Italian

:02:37. > :02:45.

:02:45. > :02:52.be one to savour. They have to be right up there in terms of world

:02:52. > :03:01.calibre. Two of the very best in the Northern Hemisphere. Dusautoir

:03:01. > :03:11.wat line-out ball for France. -- with the. We are told it is a bit

:03:11. > :03:16.

:03:16. > :03:26.breezy on the pitch. So the line- Still the tackles come piling in

:03:26. > :03:32.from the Italians but the French have the advantage here. Can Fritz

:03:32. > :03:36.get it away? Huget being driven along and over the line. He is on

:03:36. > :03:44.his back. Can he squeeze the ball down?

:03:44. > :03:54.I tell you what, good luck to the team out there.

:03:54. > :03:56.

:03:56. > :04:04.Gareth Symons has a big job on his hands, hasn't he, the Welshman.

:04:04. > :04:09.There he goes. REFEREE: Is it a try or not?

:04:09. > :04:12.He is trying to say - sort this out, I have no idea where the ball is.

:04:12. > :04:22.He was in exactly the right position.

:04:22. > :04:23.

:04:23. > :04:30.! Let's see them put an arty shot together with this lot, then! Here

:04:30. > :04:38.is Huget. He was isolated and on his own there. There comes the help.

:04:38. > :04:48.Well, I tell you what. It's close. I wouldn't mind having another look

:04:48. > :04:53.at that. Well, wr reliant opinion our Italian friends for that

:04:53. > :05:02.particular picture. -- we're reliant. We wait anxiously for the

:05:02. > :05:12.decision of the referee. interesting, there is no great

:05:12. > :05:12.

:05:12. > :05:17.confidence about the French body language out there. Still we wait.

:05:17. > :05:25.It's just a forest of arms and legs. The wording was interesting. He

:05:25. > :05:32.said - is it a try or no try? If he had said, "Is there any reason I

:05:32. > :05:38.cannot award the try?" He's just gone, "You make the decision."

:05:38. > :05:43.did everything he could, Nigel Owens, to find himself in the right

:05:43. > :05:53.position. You can't give that try. You can't see the ball, can you?

:05:53. > :06:02.

:06:02. > :06:06.We've yet to see the ball. REFEREE: no try.

:06:07. > :06:15.The decision has been made. There will be a 5m scrum to the French.

:06:15. > :06:20.The right decision, surely. Yes. You couldn't see the ground.

:06:20. > :06:24.French have to make it pay. The pressure that they had -- to

:06:24. > :06:26.pay. The pressure that they had and the time they spent in that 22,

:06:26. > :06:36.they have to come away with something, as the clock approaches

:06:36. > :06:42.

:06:42. > :06:46.attack and Michalak is dancing his way through. Can he get the ball

:06:46. > :06:53.away? He can. They have the advantage again. Finger-tip touch,

:06:53. > :07:00.wasn't it? Still they drive, five metres away.

:07:00. > :07:04.Penalty France. Offside. It'll be interesting to see what they do

:07:04. > :07:09.here. Easy three points, which I would take. They need to score

:07:09. > :07:15.twice anyway. How greedy are they? We'll soon find out. I think

:07:15. > :07:22.they've got to go for goal, yes. It's a good decision. Plenty of

:07:22. > :07:29.time left. So Michalak will look to fire this through the middle and

:07:29. > :07:34.close the deficit just a little bit. But what a start from the Italians?

:07:34. > :07:39.Yes. If anything the French look a little bit more threatening inside

:07:39. > :07:46.the 22. Straightforward for the French number 10. Never in doubt.

:07:46. > :07:51.Italy lead France now by 13-8. Vital that they had something to

:07:51. > :07:59.show for all their efforts down there.

:07:59. > :08:09.Michalak now aged 13. Philippe sanan dry describing him like a

:08:09. > :08:43.

:08:43. > :08:48.good French wine, "Maturing with Michalak's abilities with Parra on

:08:48. > :08:55.the bench. Such a superb game manager. We have seen that time and

:08:55. > :09:05.time again for France and his club team.

:09:05. > :09:23.

:09:23. > :09:27.Yes. A great player. But Michalak they power forwards. Mace mace

:09:27. > :09:37.tackled there and Minto into the fray. He is the newcomer in the

:09:37. > :09:57.

:09:57. > :10:02.is very important. They have lost the last few line-outs to give

:10:02. > :10:07.France the position to score points. Orquera is playing well. I think

:10:07. > :10:13.the play is too deep. And that's giving more time to the French to

:10:13. > :10:22.come up and put pressure on the ball. Jonathan, do you go along

:10:22. > :10:32.with that? Too deep from Orquera? think he is. He has not to put

:10:32. > :10:38.

:10:38. > :10:47.himself under pressure and play Sundayry. A great chase. I tell you

:10:47. > :10:53.what, I think he just gets a foot to that. Or Benjamin Fall. Orquera,

:10:53. > :10:58.the first mistake. He bounces. Look. He just gets a foot to it. Benjamin

:10:58. > :11:05.Fall is under the sticks. Watch this now. As he goes down, he just

:11:05. > :11:09.gets the toe to it. A great chase from Huget, wasn't it? They say the

:11:09. > :11:19.kick is only as effective as the chase and Orquera put under a huge

:11:19. > :11:20.

:11:20. > :11:25.amount of pressure. A lot of territory gained by the French.

:11:25. > :11:31.They were so tight and carrying the ball well in the first 20 minutes,

:11:31. > :11:36.they didn't throw those miracle balls. Now just - they need to just

:11:36. > :11:41.keep position and have a little bit of territory and relax the pressure

:11:41. > :11:47.from them and they've thrown silly balls and they have goot a bit

:11:47. > :11:54.looser. I know they want gsh they have got a bit looser. I know they

:11:54. > :12:04.want to play a different way under Jacques Brunel. But they can't

:12:04. > :12:04.

:12:04. > :12:08.afford to throw those loose balls. Again, the Italians will be happy

:12:08. > :12:18.with that, but it was a loose pass and a nothing kick. The Italians

:12:18. > :12:20.

:12:20. > :12:26.will be happy, you know, with just the line-out on their 22.

:12:26. > :12:36.It was claimed nicely by the Italians. Now it is a chance to

:12:36. > :13:03.

:13:03. > :13:13.Surely the very best way to stop Fall. Surely he can go all the way.

:13:13. > :13:14.

:13:14. > :13:22.Benjamin Fall. He is on target for France. As the Italians get looser,

:13:22. > :13:31.the French get better. That's what happens. Again, the off-load there.

:13:31. > :13:36.And a good play by a blind-side winger. Benjamin Fall scores a try.

:13:36. > :13:41.Great tackle by the Italian hooker to get across but good support play,

:13:41. > :13:49.Benjamin Fall and he scores. third try in international rugby.

:13:49. > :13:51.Playing here largely as a result to an injury to another player. This

:13:51. > :14:01.another straightforward kick for Freddy Michalak to take the French

:14:01. > :14:02.

:14:02. > :14:08.into the lead. And Philippe Saint-Andre will be

:14:08. > :14:16.much, much happier after Benjamin Fall's score for his side. Maybe

:14:16. > :14:21.the anxiety of the French team will dissipate a little bit.

:14:21. > :14:27.Half-time is approaching. And they are sitting a little bit easier

:14:27. > :14:33.there perhaps, the coach and his assistant. From that ruck, they

:14:33. > :14:38.didn't organise the defence. They were blind-side and inside the left

:14:38. > :14:48.winger for the Italians. Michalak looks at it. He went wide earlier.

:14:48. > :14:51.

:14:51. > :15:00.Great hands by the French like. He exploited it. It was different for

:15:00. > :15:05.somebody like Sgarbi to defend when they are running at you. The French

:15:05. > :15:10.looking to profit but the Italians have claimed a turnover ball and it

:15:10. > :15:13.is threaded through. It's a bit too much and it is tucked away. You can

:15:14. > :15:19.see what the French are trying to do, trying to break it open and

:15:19. > :15:29.make a looser game, getting away from the tight game, the phase play

:15:29. > :15:29.

:15:29. > :16:40.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:16:41. > :16:47.that the rucks involved and are outside. France will regroup... It

:16:47. > :16:51.has gone for it. They have lost the ball as they gone to the ground.

:16:51. > :16:55.Instead of attacking and keeping their momentum going, they have

:16:55. > :17:02.surrendered possession and France will clear it. Just a little

:17:02. > :17:12.mistakes like that Baker a huge difference. -- little mistakes like

:17:12. > :17:38.

:17:38. > :17:48.couple of tackles and he is up to half way! That has called for

:17:48. > :18:25.

:18:25. > :18:35.words! Just too far in front of his his first half. The French have

:18:35. > :18:51.

:18:51. > :19:01.reasserted their authority after a has been good in the first half.

:19:01. > :19:01.

:19:01. > :20:01.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:20:01. > :20:08.straight put in would have been clear their lines. A lot of it is

:20:08. > :20:18.their own doing. He gets the ball, and not talk -- I am not sure what

:20:18. > :20:22.

:20:22. > :20:32.to his mum as well. That is the scrum half claiming it. Go a very

:20:32. > :20:32.

:20:32. > :21:26.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:21:26. > :21:30.draws proceedings to the close after the first 40 minutes. A great

:21:30. > :21:40.start from the Italians. The Azzurri is setting off like a steam

:21:40. > :21:41.

:21:41. > :21:44.train. The French have come right They have got a little bit loose as

:21:44. > :21:50.the first half has progressed. They are given momentum to France. The

:21:50. > :21:56.difference was, they just spotted two mismatches and have scored on

:21:56. > :22:06.both occasions, the French. A great first half of rugby and you know,

:22:06. > :22:07.

:22:07. > :22:10.it is a big setting -- second half There was a great atmosphere before

:22:10. > :22:15.the game began and the Italians were certainly up for this from the

:22:15. > :22:24.word go. Orquera, much vilified, but a fantastic break. Sergio

:22:24. > :22:33.Perisse, Wells on the end of it? -- Who Else. But, Orquera managed to

:22:33. > :22:37.get a drop goal to increase the margin. Two penalties from Orquera.

:22:37. > :22:47.Michalak, more reliable with his book the second time around, having

:22:47. > :22:47.

:22:47. > :22:57.converted the try. The French had the narrowest of lead. The you're

:22:57. > :23:03.

:23:03. > :23:07.Fundamentally, it is pretty even Stevens and that is for a two

:23:07. > :23:11.points in it. One thing we could say, Keith, without fear of

:23:11. > :23:16.contradiction, and this might get kibosh in the second half, up until

:23:16. > :23:19.now, this must be the best opening weekend of the Six Nations we've

:23:19. > :23:23.ever had. Absolutely. The standard and accuracy has been incredible.

:23:23. > :23:27.Emotion at the start, with all the former internationals standing,

:23:27. > :23:31.getting their caps, singing their anthem was truly incredible. There

:23:31. > :23:38.is a huge buzz in the stadium and it's amazing to think that after 10

:23:39. > :23:43.or 12 years, you can fill a stadium of this size in Italy have. And

:23:43. > :23:49.then for the Italian team to play accordingly. You were worried.

:23:49. > :23:52.was worried in the first 25 minutes but it's very simple. Italy had the

:23:52. > :23:55.ball in hand at the start and they were very physical. They moved the

:23:55. > :23:59.ball quite well. Orquera or organised everything properly and

:24:00. > :24:06.the French were in trouble. Then we managed to come back into the game.

:24:06. > :24:10.I mentioned yesterday about the gain line and how important it is

:24:10. > :24:15.to own that. Are the first half Italy had it and then France came

:24:15. > :24:25.back in. It was fantastic. Sergio Perisse, his try. It rounded off a

:24:25. > :24:29.

:24:30. > :24:39.great sexual. The play just did not Absolutely perfect until now...

:24:40. > :24:43.They both zone in on the ball. He runs all the way back up again and

:24:43. > :24:52.get himself into a good, strong position. We were talking about

:24:52. > :24:58.Orquera early on. He takes the opportunity and you see it...

:24:58. > :25:01.Nicolas Mas has already laid into his position. Orquera sees the gap.

:25:01. > :25:11.The back-row, again and he shoots straight through the gap. Who is at

:25:11. > :25:13.

:25:13. > :25:17.the end of it? The guide, the start, the talents, he dives and scores.

:25:17. > :25:22.It just shows how brilliantly Italy have adapted to this competition.

:25:22. > :25:31.Whereas before they hurried, now they are showing composure,

:25:31. > :25:36.particularly in defence. Get the support. Bruno Sergio Perisse has

:25:36. > :25:46.the intelligence. In advance of the game, we were talking about to pick

:25:46. > :25:46.

:25:47. > :25:53.a Mole's against Perisse was the Battle of the giants. -- Picamoles.

:25:53. > :26:03.We talked about the artistry and the brute strength. This was after

:26:03. > :26:05.

:26:05. > :26:10.a long, sustained period of play. It was absolutely perfect. You need

:26:10. > :26:20.two or three players to stop a player like this. He is very strong

:26:20. > :26:23.

:26:23. > :26:27.and stays on his feet. He has been doing that all season. Even Sergio

:26:27. > :26:32.Perisse couldn't prevent that drive. We mentioned before the game began

:26:32. > :26:38.that last year, we only had 40 of tries in the championship. If had

:26:38. > :26:45.15 already. This is the last of the first 15. As the endgame broken, we

:26:45. > :26:49.felt France were becoming more and more confident. The emotions that

:26:49. > :26:53.is to be used for an awful lot but that was ideal. He started coming

:26:53. > :27:03.out of their game. They lost their way a little. There was some

:27:03. > :27:04.

:27:04. > :27:08.fantastic running. It was a tough decision but we try to make

:27:08. > :27:14.opportunities. We spoke about Michalak and about Orquera before

:27:14. > :27:20.the game. They are two people for whom this was a big game. What do

:27:20. > :27:27.you make about Orquera? He was a composed. This is a guy who has

:27:27. > :27:37.been in and out of a French side, has not been consistent. That is as

:27:37. > :27:50.

:27:50. > :27:53.fly half defending. He is only a short guide. That is an area that

:27:53. > :27:58.they are going to target. They spotted that that is where he has

:27:58. > :28:06.started offending. Net per, small car. That is difficult because the

:28:07. > :28:12.French... They don't know if they need to keep the ball in hand. When

:28:12. > :28:15.you give the ball to the Italians, they are dangerous. They are pretty

:28:15. > :28:20.much forcing France to play incredibly well, to get the ball

:28:20. > :28:23.outside. They know Orquera is not a good defender. He will get brushed

:28:23. > :28:27.out of the way. He doesn't put himself in a good body position so

:28:27. > :28:37.they take him out of the equation as much as they can. And Michalak.

:28:37. > :28:45.

:28:45. > :28:55.For what a good start. -- not a good start. He is quite flat. He

:28:55. > :28:56.

:28:56. > :29:04.has really improved. He put some pressure on. We know he is a

:29:04. > :29:10.talented guy. In the context of the game at the whole, is the balance

:29:10. > :29:13.of power inexorably shifting towards the front? I think so. But

:29:13. > :29:17.the Italian coach and say to his team, we are still in this game,

:29:17. > :29:21.did give up. We can put France under pressure and get the crowd

:29:21. > :29:26.behind us. France crumbled two years ago, when this Italian crowd

:29:26. > :29:30.got behind their team. I know it is a cliche but it is taking the first

:29:30. > :29:34.10 minutes, as it stands, to make certain that that emotion get back

:29:35. > :29:38.to them again, that they play with composer, that they get them

:29:38. > :29:48.doubting what it is that is happening. A thought the BBC didn't

:29:48. > :29:58.We are 5/6 but the way to the first weekend of the Six Nations. Next

:29:58. > :30:24.

:30:24. > :30:28.And if you've been out and about over the last couple of days and

:30:28. > :30:38.you've mixed the best bits, you can see them tonight, tomorrow morning:

:30:38. > :30:46.

:30:47. > :30:54.yesterday. England smashed Scotland but an upset with Italy beating

:30:54. > :30:57.France by 13-12. And a narrow victory in afternoon in Wales for

:30:57. > :31:01.Ireland. That means obviously that England are very much in the

:31:01. > :31:05.asendcy there. I must mention, we have an interactive forum on the

:31:05. > :31:10.final whistle here. So if you have any thoughts on what we're

:31:10. > :31:17.witnessing in Rome this afternoon or what we saw yesterday in Cardiff

:31:17. > :31:23.or Twickenham, give us a tweeth or e-mail. We'll answer your questions

:31:23. > :31:27.and continuing the debating parts. I'm sure Maco Bortolami was happy

:31:27. > :31:31.after 25 minutes. How is he feeling after 40? A furious first-half from

:31:31. > :31:36.Italy. They came out all guns firing but an important ten minutes

:31:36. > :31:42.in the dressing room to regroup. Very, very important. I think the

:31:42. > :31:49.players have to refresh. We have to repeat what we did in the first 30

:31:49. > :31:57.minutes. We had the ball. We know how dangerous France is when they

:31:57. > :32:01.have the ball. 13-15 at half-time is it a chance for Italy? A big

:32:01. > :32:05.chance. France are doing enough to be in this game. I'm not sure they

:32:05. > :32:12.really want to win it. If Italy can make it hard work for France, who

:32:12. > :32:17.knows in the last 20. The danger is when it looks more loose, France

:32:17. > :32:22.look dangerous. Do Italy have to be patient? Yes, we were lucky at the

:32:22. > :32:27.end of the first half when we played that scrum and lost it. We

:32:27. > :32:31.have to play the ball in their 22. Thank you very much.

:32:31. > :32:35.Well, we had the same conversation at half-time in Cardiff yesterday

:32:35. > :32:39.and again at Twickenham last night. Both matches were still on a knife-

:32:39. > :32:44.edge. We said if somebody scores early in the second-half that could

:32:44. > :32:51.be the determining factor. Ireland scored early in Cardiff and England

:32:51. > :33:00.scored early to kill the game at divik nam. Similar situation here -

:33:00. > :33:03.- at Twickenham. Similar situation here? Yes, very much so. If Italy

:33:03. > :33:08.kict ball down the field they are putting France under more pressure

:33:08. > :33:12.than they can putting themselves under. I look at France and I'm

:33:12. > :33:16.surprised. They should have more confidence after how they played at

:33:16. > :33:20.the autumn. They need to power up. They are counter-attacking, waiting

:33:20. > :33:30.for itly to make the mistake. hard to win games when you don't

:33:30. > :33:34.

:33:34. > :33:39.have the ball. We had it in the last 5 minutes. you should watch

:33:39. > :33:44.the second half. I think France are stronger than the eye talyafpblts

:33:44. > :33:49.when we have the ball in hand we are dangerous. -- than the Italians.

:33:50. > :33:53.Keep the ball and I'm sure we'll score more tries. We were used to

:33:53. > :33:57.Italy being competitive for 60 minutes and then falling away. But

:33:57. > :34:01.that depends on the pressure the opposition are putting on you.

:34:02. > :34:05.lot on pressure and on the fitness of the Italian team. They are an

:34:05. > :34:09.awful lot leaner. They were bigger five or six years ago. Now they are

:34:09. > :34:14.stronger and focused. They are keeping the French waiting. They

:34:14. > :34:19.are out there in position, waiting for the kick-off. That guarantees

:34:19. > :34:24.winning a game, playing against nobody. I suspect Brunel is saying

:34:24. > :34:28.- you have a huge crowd here and massive publicity and nationwide

:34:28. > :34:37.television coverage, which they haven't had in the past. A massive

:34:37. > :34:42.platform to give a huge boast to the sport. Don't necessary up.

:34:42. > :34:48.they do it now, they'll go on the huge Italian stage and start viing

:34:48. > :34:53.a little bit more with football. are getting out of the way of

:34:53. > :34:57.another of those interesting balloons that are going around here.

:34:57. > :35:01.I'll hand back to Alistair and Jonathan.

:35:01. > :35:05.Thank you. A great 40 minutes for both teams. The Italians really

:35:05. > :35:15.need to believe they can pull off this trick for a second time

:35:15. > :35:15.

:35:15. > :35:22.against the French. The former skipper will be imparting that

:35:22. > :35:27.message throughout the rest of the troops, no doubt.

:35:27. > :35:32.The Italian looser game suits the French. I think it is about keeping

:35:32. > :35:37.possession and having a bit of patience. That's what the Italians

:35:37. > :35:42.need to do. Have patience. Don't squander possession. Just re-set

:35:42. > :35:48.and go from the set-piece. A little bit of accuracy and pragmatism

:35:48. > :35:58.perhaps in the early stages here. This is a vital first 10-15 minutes

:35:58. > :35:59.

:35:59. > :36:09.of the second half. A great re-start. An over-ball for

:36:09. > :36:13.the French right at the outset. The Italians' failure to release

:36:13. > :36:18.having secured the ball from the re-start. Those errors they need to

:36:18. > :36:23.eradicate. Yes, they need to eradicate them. As we said at half-

:36:23. > :36:28.time. You keep possession, you are in control of the game. Penalties

:36:28. > :36:35.will give the French field position and they have looked very, very

:36:35. > :36:41.dangerous in attack. Michalak fires the ball on its way.

:36:41. > :36:51.It has not found touch. He was so notch lapbt there. That's a big

:36:51. > :36:55.mistake by Michalak. The Italians have returned it in kind and we are

:36:55. > :37:02.back at half way. We've been led to believe there is

:37:02. > :37:08.a new maturity to the Michalak game. Jonny Wilkinson has been credited

:37:08. > :37:14.with helping him with all of that, playing alongside him at Toulon.

:37:14. > :37:19.No changes by the way in either of the two line-ups at the start of

:37:19. > :37:29.the second-half. Lots of fire-power to come, certainly off the frnch

:37:29. > :37:37.

:37:37. > :37:47.bench with the likes of Taofifenua and Abassi. -- and Bastareaud both

:37:47. > :38:21.

:38:21. > :38:26.says the referee, so play can because the pace is very slow in

:38:26. > :38:36.the first couple of minutes in the second half with a couple of errors.

:38:36. > :38:37.

:38:37. > :38:47.Both sides seem very, very flat. It's just when you see the support

:38:47. > :38:47.

:38:47. > :38:53.cast, without any injection of pace or purpose. I don't think Pascal

:38:53. > :38:57.Pape was expecting that. Very isolated he was then. Then he was

:38:57. > :39:02.put under pressure and caused a knock-on. Now an opportunity for

:39:02. > :39:08.the Italians. One of the Italians down at the moment, receiving some

:39:08. > :39:15.treatment. So another short pause. It's Ghiraldini, the hooker having

:39:15. > :39:25.his ankle taped by the looks of things.

:39:25. > :39:25.

:39:25. > :39:30.There is the run-in for the Italian try. Great moment. Then the French.

:39:30. > :39:40.A great, great carry in the left hand. As you said, two world class

:39:40. > :39:41.

:39:41. > :39:51.number 8s. Then Benjamin Fall comes in in support play and scores to

:39:51. > :40:04.

:40:04. > :40:14.put them ahead. Ghiraldini little He'll be straight into the heart of

:40:14. > :40:34.

:40:34. > :40:44.and a little surge from the French but picked up by Parisse. They are

:40:44. > :41:16.

:41:16. > :41:26.the Italians and good depth to the French blue line. Botes caught in

:41:26. > :41:31.possession. That's loose and they are going backwards at the moment.

:41:31. > :41:39.And Orquera there again with a little dummy It is a little flat.

:41:40. > :41:45.He has to vary his depth. He has to play very, very tight. But if they

:41:46. > :41:55.have got to go wide and he has to keep his deathp, it is just a

:41:56. > :42:12.

:42:12. > :42:17.- leave it, leave it, white. Hands on the floor. He played the ball on

:42:17. > :42:24.the floor again and then there is a penalty. I think they are

:42:24. > :42:29.struggling to get over that game line now. The French defence is

:42:29. > :42:34.more dominant. As Mark was saying, I say - if you are taking the ball

:42:34. > :42:41.up you have to take it flat. If you are going wide, keep depth because

:42:41. > :42:48.there is the polyers there. It is just managing where you are, what

:42:48. > :42:51.you are going to do with it and the speed of the ball. -- players. At

:42:51. > :43:01.the moment they are kind of running out of ideas.

:43:01. > :43:10.

:43:10. > :43:15.Another line-out to the French. A He is not happy with the delay now,

:43:15. > :43:25.the referee. It should be one penalty for a dummy throw and then

:43:25. > :43:53.

:43:53. > :43:59.too slow. Not comfortable in the thrrbg but it was too long.

:43:59. > :44:04.space there, but it was too long. Huget has set off with a spaiz.

:44:04. > :44:09.Disappointed from Orquera. Not a whole lot in it.

:44:09. > :44:13.Just over-cooked it a little bit but again not many options for him

:44:13. > :44:18.there. More defenders than attackers. So the same position.

:44:18. > :44:28.This time Szarzewski gets the ball in but it has fallen into Italian

:44:28. > :44:55.

:44:55. > :45:01.hands and Masi is linking nicely in tackle but Orquera again to Masi.

:45:01. > :45:08.He is having to go side ways. A great tackle. Yes, watch out,

:45:08. > :45:14.danger. Here we go. Picamoles yet again. You see what

:45:14. > :45:20.he was trying to do. He was trying to carry the ball in that left hand

:45:20. > :45:24.again and make a rounded corner pass. But as we said earlier, once

:45:24. > :45:29.the turnover is successful, they have to switch on. They are so

:45:29. > :45:34.dangerous the French, they look to go all the time. There is eight

:45:34. > :45:40.turnover. He is isolated. A penalty. Watch him. You can see what he is

:45:40. > :45:44.trying to do. Parisse is in again, trying to get his left-hand through

:45:44. > :45:48.the tackle for the inside ball to Fall. The one thing the Italians

:45:48. > :45:52.have to look at, is because of the uncertainty in the French line-out,

:45:53. > :45:57.if they are not getting it over the game line, what they have to do is

:45:57. > :46:04.turn the French and put the ball into the 22 and put more pressure

:46:04. > :46:08.on the Italian - on the French line-out in the French 2 2. At the

:46:08. > :46:13.moment they are not making any yads or getting over the game line. So

:46:13. > :46:23.they have to turn them and put pressure on them. Especially that

:46:23. > :46:50.

:46:50. > :46:55.Italians. The ball is there. The scrum will be reset this time.

:46:55. > :47:05.Thankfully, the game has been mercifully free of too many

:47:05. > :47:24.

:47:24. > :47:34.collapsed scrums. Yes. There is not they are very much in contention

:47:34. > :47:34.

:47:34. > :48:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:48:28. > :48:32.but he has stabbed it over. A not his best kick, but they all count.

:48:32. > :48:42.Just the shortest of approaches. That gives them a little bit of

:48:42. > :48:42.

:48:42. > :49:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:49:25. > :49:35.breathing space. Five points the way back in their half. Sgarbi does

:49:35. > :49:53.

:49:54. > :50:03.that kicking duties but has not underneath it. This will be

:50:04. > :50:20.

:50:20. > :50:27.more than a match. When you go in for the ball and are running away

:50:27. > :50:37.from it, it kind of gives the referee the advantage, I think! At

:50:37. > :50:46.

:50:46. > :50:56.this is right on the edge of his Ghiraldini will be a happy man. It

:50:56. > :51:07.

:51:07. > :51:17.onto the field. Just under the crossbar. Today changes from the

:51:17. > :51:17.

:51:17. > :53:01.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:53:01. > :53:09.on this left-hand side. No one is really going for with it. --

:53:09. > :53:13.forward. That was a magnificent kick from the French fly-half. A

:53:13. > :53:18.quick line-out affords the Italians just a little bit of time and space.

:53:18. > :53:28.That hasn't found touch either. haven't seen that before. Grade

:53:28. > :53:28.

:53:28. > :54:57.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:54:57. > :55:03.now, the Italians. Keep possession, but the pressure on. A good player,

:55:03. > :55:13.great play! Machenaud is still going up the ride. This is

:55:13. > :55:15.

:55:16. > :55:20.excellent from a scrum half of. And they had spilt it! That was it. It

:55:20. > :55:30.is the Italians on the counter attack. They are going down the

:55:30. > :55:58.

:55:58. > :56:05.left flank. Mrs Sergio Perisse, powerful man. Driven on. The crowd

:56:05. > :56:15.roar! Vega have to go left now. Quicker ball. What are they doing?

:56:15. > :56:19.

:56:19. > :56:29.Get it away! Just enough time to regroup. Castro goes through! It is

:56:29. > :56:29.

:56:29. > :56:35.tried time for Castrogiovanni and Italy! What can offload! Orquera

:56:35. > :56:39.finds himself at the scrum half position and just props it up.

:56:39. > :56:47.There is no more popular man in Italian rugby that Martin

:56:47. > :56:57.Castrogiovanni. Just what the offload. There he goes. That is a

:56:57. > :57:12.

:57:12. > :57:15.it to Orquera. He started so, so well. He has provided two tries,

:57:15. > :57:25.one for Sergio Perisse and one for Martin Castrogiovanni. He's having

:57:25. > :57:31.

:57:31. > :57:41.the time of his life had here. Italy back into the lead, with 22

:57:41. > :57:41.

:57:41. > :58:36.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:58:36. > :58:46.well as the skill of their, Jonathan, to get his upper-body is

:58:46. > :58:54.

:58:54. > :59:04.-- upper-body through the tackles captaincy duties. Pascal Pape is

:59:04. > :59:27.

:59:27. > :59:36.hobbling away. He is massive. 22 now. 28 minutes left to play, they

:59:36. > :59:40.lead France. Too slow. And that is it. Get it, clear it and put it

:59:40. > :59:45.down in the 22 of the French again. But they just hang around, take too

:59:45. > :59:55.much time. Look at it. It's slow. It is therefore the scrum half. Go

:59:55. > :00:21.

:00:21. > :00:26.in, take it away and put in the hands of Zanni. That was poor play

:00:26. > :00:33.by the French. I expect better from them in that attacking position.

:00:33. > :00:39.not a good fakle from Fofana -- tackle. He spilled it at the last

:00:39. > :00:42.moment after looking like he had it under control. This is exactly the

:00:42. > :00:47.moment where Michalak needs to take control of the game and start

:00:47. > :00:53.playing the entirety of the match down in the Italian half. The

:00:53. > :00:58.Azzurri are racing towards. -- forwards. I think they have to

:00:58. > :01:02.utilise Andrea Masi a lot more. He runs great lines and is so

:01:02. > :01:08.difficult to pull down. I don't think they use him enough. He used

:01:08. > :01:18.to play in the centres. That's just about the first error we have seen

:01:18. > :01:20.

:01:20. > :01:23.from Sergio Parisse. Ever! Mark it down, the 60-minute mark, a lack

:01:23. > :01:33.mark against the name of the Italian captain. Italy keen to play

:01:33. > :01:51.

:01:51. > :02:01.their rugby at the other end of the What was a fabulous pick-up from

:02:01. > :02:01.

:02:01. > :02:51.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:02:51. > :02:58.and trying to make dents. They are delight of the Italian crowd.

:02:58. > :03:00.are your thoughts, Marcsno, It shri doing what they need to do. --

:03:00. > :03:06.Marco? Italy are doing what they need to

:03:06. > :03:14.do. They are kicking the ball down to play in the French half. I'm not

:03:14. > :03:19.sure France know what they want to I agree. I think it's a great

:03:19. > :03:24.opportunity. They are at slightly sixes and sevens. The French. They

:03:24. > :03:29.are lacklustre with no pace to their game. They are passing the

:03:29. > :03:34.buck. They've made a couple of changes now. Parra is coming on to

:03:34. > :03:38.maybe give a bit of direction and also this man. There is only one

:03:38. > :03:45.way this bloke is going to go, Bastareaud, let me tell you. Just

:03:45. > :03:49.the 18 stone of Mathieu Bastareaud to win his tenth international cap.

:03:49. > :03:54.You can feel the crackle of expectation in the crowd. They're

:03:54. > :04:01.hoping to something similar than two years ago at a much smaller

:04:01. > :04:11.venue. Martin Castrogiovanni is off. His

:04:11. > :04:28.

:04:28. > :04:34.will be happy. The French go with the front ball. Not a great

:04:34. > :04:44.attacking option for the French. They just want to secure that line-

:04:44. > :04:47.

:04:47. > :04:57.out. The French have had one or two

:04:57. > :04:59.

:04:59. > :05:02.costly handling errors. Derbyshire is coming on from Favaro. He has an

:05:02. > :05:07.English father and Italian mother. He had a terrific season for

:05:07. > :05:17.Treviso. This is his first appearance in international colours

:05:17. > :05:34.

:05:34. > :05:38.see a change of fly-half as well for the Azzurri. Chris Burton is

:05:38. > :05:48.about to arrive on the stage. Is that the right decision, Jonathan?

:05:48. > :05:49.

:05:49. > :05:54.Um, I'm not really sure about this. I think what Orquera has done, he

:05:54. > :05:59.has done exceptionally well. He has taken the drop goal and kicking has

:05:59. > :06:03.been good. He created the try. Can Kristopher Burton maybe control the

:06:03. > :06:13.game a little bit better? You know play the ball into the French 22.

:06:13. > :06:16.

:06:16. > :06:21.We'll have to wait and see. A big call from Jacques Brunel. It is.

:06:21. > :06:25.The French really trying to put the squeeze on the Italian pack but it

:06:25. > :06:30.is the Azzurri who have won a penalty. Well, we'll see now. Is

:06:31. > :06:36.this within his range? I think a psychological kick, this is, or

:06:36. > :06:42.does he give it to the fullback? Let's see. Well, it is McLean who

:06:42. > :06:52.is coming over. That suggests he is going to pop it into touch. Too far

:06:52. > :06:54.

:06:54. > :06:58.for Burton. Yes, it is a long old way. That's not quite made it

:06:58. > :07:08.inside the 22. Disappointing. kick. You have to try to get the

:07:08. > :07:35.

:07:36. > :07:40.patience. Well, he did warn them. Referee STRAIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE.

:07:40. > :07:50.The French will be mightly relieved about that.

:07:50. > :08:06.

:08:06. > :08:16.the dangerous. The French winning a free kick now. The whistle is

:08:16. > :08:43.

:08:43. > :08:53.coming thick and fast against the Nicolas Mas.

:08:53. > :09:02.

:09:02. > :09:12.underneath it? Parisse. The French counter. The The first sign of

:09:12. > :09:30.

:09:30. > :09:40.faces in defence. A slow ball for each team at the

:09:40. > :09:41.

:09:41. > :09:51.moment. The French scrapping hard on the

:09:51. > :10:22.

:10:22. > :10:25.Italians. Venditti tries to spiral his way through.

:10:25. > :10:31.Burton, the long-range drop goal attempt.

:10:31. > :10:37.It's a good dig. It's an excellent dig. Good kick. Good decision. Slow

:10:37. > :10:47.ball. Take the points. Chris Burton. A vital blow for

:10:47. > :10:48.

:10:48. > :10:55.Italy. ! Sits back and lines it up and

:10:55. > :11:01.just pops it over. There you go. Sweet as a nut. We knew it was

:11:01. > :11:07.going straight between the post. That is a good decision. An awful

:11:07. > :11:14.lot remaining on his shoulders after the removal of Luciano

:11:14. > :11:18.Orquera who had been so good today. But Chris Burton adding to

:11:18. > :11:23.proceedings and extending to the lead. Just to throw a few more

:11:24. > :11:27.jitters to the French cap. there is no urgency in the French

:11:27. > :11:33.side. The clock is against them as well. They have not really played

:11:33. > :11:42.any rugby in the second half. A great noise being generated in

:11:42. > :11:47.the Olympic Stadium now. They sense another little slice of

:11:47. > :11:53.history perhaps. It gives them a great start to the Six Nations,

:11:53. > :11:59.doesn't it. Louis Picamoles has come off. He had an influence on

:11:59. > :12:06.the gai. He is replaced by Damien Chouly. What a player to have on

:12:06. > :12:16.the bench. France need urgency. They need decision. Parra is going

:12:16. > :12:28.

:12:28. > :12:38.to have to boss this operation, you over most of the French players now.

:12:38. > :13:01.

:13:01. > :13:08.Still around the half-way mark. An awful lot of huff and puff from the

:13:08. > :13:15.French. Not making a lot of head way.

:13:15. > :13:19.The ball is so slow coming back. The Italians have to soak this up.

:13:19. > :13:29.At the moment, there is no creativity whatsoever in the French

:13:29. > :13:30.

:13:30. > :13:39.play. No pace on the game. Italy handling this at the moment with

:13:39. > :13:47.great ease, as the French head to ground in the tackle zone.

:13:47. > :13:53.Gathered in by Huget this time. Parisse desperately needing to

:13:53. > :13:57.secure possession of the ball. Fofana has got it. He had to. He

:13:57. > :14:04.was isolated. Now he has a chance to go. Driven on, up to the 10m

:14:04. > :14:08.line. Dug out by Parra. A stray boot.

:14:08. > :14:13.The advantage is with France. width whatsoever on the French game.

:14:13. > :14:23.Watch them walking back. There is nothing happening. Huget has cramp

:14:23. > :14:27.at fullback. It's a French mess at the moment.

:14:27. > :14:35.tell you what, this is a game that is there for winning for the

:14:35. > :14:38.Italians. If they just keep their defensive shape, keep their

:14:38. > :14:46.discipline, don't give field position away, it doesn't look like

:14:46. > :14:56.the French can break them down. More changes from Jacques Brunel of

:14:56. > :15:08.

:15:08. > :15:13.Italy. Gonzalo Canale is coming on. Both numbers 8s are going off.

:15:13. > :15:23.work from both number 8s. Very rarely does this guy go off.

:15:23. > :15:23.

:15:23. > :16:07.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:16:07. > :16:10.and that hasn't happened for two just a... They have been camped in

:16:10. > :16:13.their own half for the long time, the French now. They have been

:16:13. > :16:17.frustrated by the lack of penetration and the penalty from

:16:17. > :16:27.the scrum will now give them good field position. Good field position

:16:27. > :16:29.

:16:29. > :16:34.will just... They will pick the tempo up. It is a very, very nice.

:16:34. > :16:43.The last 80 minutes. Italy has to stay away from the try-line. I know

:16:43. > :16:53.it is difficult, they have to stay composed and disciplined. I am not

:16:53. > :17:11.

:17:11. > :17:15.sure France can do what they need Italy. This is Venditti! He keeps

:17:15. > :17:25.the ball alive nicely. Burton with the offload. This is good for me to

:17:25. > :17:38.

:17:38. > :17:48.and feeding off the crowd. Three- point so would be good here. If the

:17:48. > :17:48.

:17:48. > :18:34.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:18:34. > :18:39.ball slows down, look for the drop needed. There are five points in

:18:39. > :18:49.front, they are in the 22. If they get the tried, that is great. If

:18:49. > :18:55.they don't, sit back, up popped the drop goal over, thank you very much.

:18:55. > :19:05.What is the ruling going to be here? Be reset scrum by the looks

:19:05. > :19:05.

:19:05. > :19:55.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:19:55. > :20:01.a little bit of the pressure. But they need a spark of magic. Yes,

:20:01. > :20:08.they do. But again, the penalty there has given them the field

:20:08. > :20:18.position. We just heard that Orquera, the Italian stand-off, has

:20:18. > :20:19.

:20:19. > :20:29.been named man-of-the-match by the Italian press. The he has had a

:20:29. > :20:29.

:20:29. > :22:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

:22:45. > :22:55.their shape. 90 seconds left of the march. Can the Italians hold out?

:22:55. > :23:33.

:23:33. > :23:40.The French are powering up. The will be a scrum. Another 16 has

:23:40. > :23:47.been dispatched to the sin bin. It will have made Dusautoir mind up to

:23:47. > :23:57.have the scrum. 14 men of Italy need to hold out for the remaining

:23:57. > :24:11.

:24:11. > :24:21.40 seconds. But it is a French seconds. The front row has been

:24:21. > :24:29.

:24:29. > :24:39.sent off. They've had to make a is one minutes left. There we are.

:24:39. > :24:43.

:24:43. > :24:53.As if by magic! Ghiraldini is into the front row. What is significant

:24:53. > :25:22.

:25:22. > :25:27.to put Ghiraldini on. This is it! A They are a little bit closer now.

:25:27. > :25:32.They need a good old shove here to become within a penalty try it

:25:32. > :25:40.territory. They are too far-out at this stage. They gained five yards

:25:40. > :25:50.from a scrum. This will be a huge call for stop a pressure situation

:25:50. > :26:01.

:26:01. > :26:11.the cusp of something very, very special in Rome. Can France spoil

:26:11. > :26:24.

:26:24. > :26:34.minutes -- metres short. Was that's not for what? I thought that has

:26:34. > :26:48.

:26:48. > :26:56.to do. A great tackle from the Italians. Bundled into touch for a

:26:56. > :27:02.fabulous win! It is another Roman calamity for France! A different

:27:02. > :27:12.venue but the same result. What a stunning upset. Italy have started

:27:12. > :27:13.

:27:13. > :27:21.the six nations with an almighty What an atmosphere. They defended

:27:21. > :27:28.extremely well and took their chances. They were loose but they

:27:28. > :27:33.came back to their strengths. They have won a famous victory. A great

:27:33. > :27:39.result for the Italians. A poor result for France. This really sets

:27:39. > :27:44.up the six nations now. Only their third win over the French in the

:27:44. > :27:49.history of the meetings between these two. Only two of the more

:27:49. > :27:59.significant, one in their study of familial and now the grandest stage

:27:59. > :28:04.

:28:04. > :28:09.at all, they are Olympic Stadium. - This has been the best opening

:28:09. > :28:14.weekend of the Six Nations. What an extraordinary occasion. What a

:28:14. > :28:22.quality game of rugby. Pulsating stuff from start to finish. Thomas,

:28:22. > :28:26.not much fun to be a Frenchman in Rome tonight. Yes. The Italians

:28:26. > :28:31.played with panache today. They managed the game very well. In the

:28:31. > :28:37.second half, they played much better than us. It was incredible

:28:37. > :28:42.to watch the game. This result, I never thought I would see it. The

:28:42. > :28:50.French were summed up by the weight Mitchell at played, nonchalant,

:28:50. > :28:55.relaxed. -- Michalak. I hate to pin it on one player, but I think he

:28:55. > :29:05.was too relaxed. He didn't win the one on ones. The physicality, the

:29:05. > :29:09.Italians with their. They won every contents. Keith, a fabulous match.

:29:09. > :29:14.There were times when the ball seemed to be in play for hours on

:29:14. > :29:21.end. It is a privilege to be standing in the stadium. I was

:29:21. > :29:25.welling up with the emotions. It was absolutely stunning. The noise

:29:25. > :29:28.at the finish was just incredible. To see all the players, you can see

:29:28. > :29:38.the image is now of the Italians going around the field, absolutely

:29:38. > :29:41.

:29:41. > :29:48.They smile a mile wide down here. You can see the reaction from the

:29:48. > :29:52.crowd is remarkable. It was a tough last few seconds. What a great win

:29:52. > :29:56.a. We deserved that. We played better in the first half. We held

:29:56. > :29:59.on the second half. France wasn't good enough today. They had the

:29:59. > :30:03.field position. They were never dangerous. We defended very well.

:30:03. > :30:07.It was very physical. We struggled at the end with discipline but we

:30:07. > :30:11.won the game and what a great win. The last 10 minutes, you're looking

:30:11. > :30:17.at the French, particularly their body language, and you felt it

:30:17. > :30:22.could be Italy's day. Yes. The body language was a disaster. They were

:30:22. > :30:26.here but they didn't know what to do to win the game. They have a

:30:26. > :30:30.very skilful players but if they don't join together, and if they

:30:30. > :30:36.don't play as 18, they are not a winning team for stock this was a

:30:36. > :30:39.very good performance from Italy. It was a be game for Italy. A big

:30:39. > :30:43.statement for the rest of the tournament. Every game in the

:30:43. > :30:51.Olympic Stadium is a big one. Next week, we travel to Scotland and who

:30:51. > :30:54.You must have enjoyed the last two- and-a-half hours or so. Any

:30:54. > :30:59.thoughts on events here or yesterday in Cardiff and Twickenham

:30:59. > :31:04.give us a shout now. We have a half-hour forum coming up on the

:31:04. > :31:08.red button in a couple of moments. Keith an interesting point that

:31:08. > :31:14.Maco Bortolami made. You said with about nine minutes on the clock,

:31:14. > :31:18.you said that fs the gym was slipping away from France -- you

:31:18. > :31:25.said that the game was slipping away from France and nobody was

:31:25. > :31:29.taking it on. They seemed to be short of leaders. They were looking

:31:29. > :31:36.for a shape. In the second half we thought that Michalak was going to

:31:36. > :31:43.attack and create but as Marco said, we didn't play as a team. We played

:31:43. > :31:49.as individuals. We missed lots of man marks. And we were average on

:31:49. > :31:55.the starts and everything. And on average you cannot win. What about

:31:55. > :32:00.the opposite, Orquera? He is a journeyman. 30 caps. Started in

:32:00. > :32:05.2002. Again in 2005. Disappeared again, came back in 2009. Played

:32:05. > :32:10.the Rugby World Cup. Missing again and pops up and wins this game.

:32:10. > :32:13.think Brunel has to take a bow. He obviously has gone on and said -

:32:13. > :32:19.target the French forwards in defence. They are running across

:32:19. > :32:28.the field and Orquera did it. He delivered twice. You also said, why

:32:28. > :32:33.is he being taken off for Burton but when he came on, he dropped the

:32:33. > :32:36.goal and steadied up the French. I think we have to stop now. We are

:32:36. > :32:44.going on to the red button but what a fantastic way to start the

:32:44. > :32:49.weekend. The Italians game plan was to win

:32:49. > :32:52.two games. Wales and Ireland both come here and it is Scotland

:32:52. > :33:02.against Italy next weekend at Murrayfield. An interesting

:33:02. > :33:04.

:33:04. > :33:12.prospect. There are the Italians with the Giribaldi trophy. It is a

:33:12. > :33:22.very united Italian side here today in Rome.

:33:22. > :33:23.

:33:23. > :33:33.That's all from us here. Benjamin Fall is on target for

:33:33. > :33:36.

:33:36. > :33:41.France. It's try time for Castro and -