France v Italy Six Nations Rugby

A week ago and just a few moments from the end of the game against

England, Philippe Saint-Andre's future as coach of France had a

huge? Hanging over it. Now France are eyeing a winning the

championship and maybe another Grand Slam. But Italy may not be a

pushover. Run the last year. -- remember last year.

It is trite time for Castrogiovanni and Italy! It is an excellent big!

Another Roman calamity for France! What a stunning upset!

After the home internationals this day, the Battle of mainland Europe

today which Italy have one on two of the last three occasions but France

one 59 of their 64 meetings. Italy worried Wales in Cardiff but their

away record in the Six Nations is dreadful. Nonetheless, last

weekend's game attracted a record Italian TV audience. What show can

they put on today for the watching millions?

I'm delighted to say, after the reign of Dublin and Edinburgh,

welcome to a crisp, is like Sunday February in Paris.

We are going to talk about the match here in just a moment or two but

first, let's reflect on yesterday and a match which left keys very

happy and Jonathan less so. Here comes to drive! They claim the

try! Line-out, drive, tribal Chris Henry.

What a finish this would be for Ireland. It must be! It is! Jackson

scores. A great little break by Murray to send it in. What a

performance by the home team. They are unbeaten in two home games. This

one particularly emphatic. If I said he would win by 23 points,

would you believe me? I would be delighted, and I am delighted with

the result, it was a lot of hard work to get there. I felt the

controlled long periods of the game and that allowed us to keep the

pressure on them territorially and build a bit of scoreboard pressure.

Disappointment but no excuses, they thoroughly deserved to win. They had

more break down time, so yes, we are very disappointed but the test of

character is how you bounce back and we have shown character before. We

were saying other breakfast, is Joe Schmidt the Jose Mourinho of rugby?

Was a tactical masterclass? I think so. Nobody really knew what Ireland

were going to bring to the show, we thought they would kick to the

wings, but not to the extent and manner they did it. The team have

fully brought into the idea that you are going to have a different game

plan spending on who you are playing. That was a different island

to the team who played in the opening match. Totally different,

they bicycle the start Wales of any impetus -- they basically starved

Wales. Interesting interview that Warren Gatland gave afterwards, do

you think he was practically out thought yesterday? They haven't

changed their game since he has been there but they haven't had to

because they have been successful. Yesterday the Irish line speed was

good and they turned the Welsh wingers, and they didn't have a plan

B. He showed his hand as well, because when Scott Williams went

off, maybe they changed the style of game a little bit. Unfortunately, he

just added more bulk into the centre. But the Irish were very

clinical and effective and Wales, it was the worst performance under

Gatland. So the next game will be interesting, on one selection and

two, tactics. They must have aligned the World Cup as well. For me,

Johnny Sexton was imperious, he was magnificent. Given what has happened

against the All Blacks, Justin Marks were surrounding him but he proved

he is the man. Let's move to the game at Murrayfield in the evening

that in advanced, promised so much, but in the end produced little.

Scotland will do well to defend this, they are spinning and driving.

They are causing a bit of confusion. It is a role for the try! Wonderful

run of timing of the run for Luther Borrell.

And Brown is in! And England finally, finally have their second

try. Victory for England. A few boos around Murrayfield but England

get their challenge moving in the right direction.

A bitter frustration at the end that didn't have more opportunities away

but a difficult pitch, difficult team to play against. This job

doesn't get any easier? It was a tough day at the office kit made

harder by the fact we have 60,000 people in the office. We were

outmuscled, really. They cut us down there and squashed us. They had 20

positions in our 22, and we have one in theirs. How do you make an

assessment of the match yesterday? Tinsel has to go there and do the

basics and I think England kept it simple, they did their line-out,

they kept it going well, apart from the end, it went a little bit

left-field. The scrummaging was better than against France, and I

think Danny Care and the role bossed the game. I think Jenny May was

excellent, elusive, beating defenders, making break. -- breaks.

To be in Edinburgh last night was a salutary experience. There was a

real sense of despair, almost, among the Scottish spec haters. What can

we say for Scottish rugby going forward? They have a couple of

issues, they are in coaching limbo, knowing their coaches leaving and he

has been there for a while. They don't seem to have any verve in the

back line so you are going to get honest endeavour, guys trying to put

a lot into it, they are hard to play against because they don't do a huge

amount but it is hard to get excited by it. There doesn't seem to be any

bit of light to say, we are changing our game to do something

substantial. When England play Ireland in two weeks time, which is

an interesting game, what are your thoughts? I have seen both, I have

been impressed with both, Danny Care is the one who dictates the pace of

the game. It will be very interesting because Ireland, I

think, haven't been fantastic but they have been so effective and so

clinical, it's going to be very interesting. Is there one area of

that match that could be the deciding factor? The breakdown in

the tackle areas are always keep. O'Mahony was excellent yesterday.

It's the control at halfback, Ireland haven't really unleashed

their backs yet. Johnny Sexton has been magnificent, his partnership

with Borrell will be key. Trimble has been good, but they haven't

really stepped up the attack because they haven't had too yet. England

will be disappointed they didn't win out here. So there is a lot to come

from both sides, and whoever turns out on the day at the can and will

win. Every time these two sides meet here, there is only one winner.

England have a good record against France -- Italy. The challenge must

be to get a win away from Rome. Can that happen to take was Mac we hope

so, we're working for that. We hope we can play with the same

concentration, with the same focus that we had in Cardiff, and maybe be

more perfect in some matches so we can get to the point when we need to

get that. The concern about today is to be able to perform in the same

way that we did last week. It was always going to be hard to open your

chubby trip at the defending champions, but there were positives

from that match. It is not easy to play the championship, your first

two matches away against Wales and France, who are very strong sides. I

think that we showed some good spirit comes good rugby, we are

happy with the young guys that come from our development pathway, so

it's important for us, it gives us strength on the pitch that the work

is in the right direction. A number of changes to the Italian liner,

what impact do you hope they will have? We don't have just 15 players,

we have more depth. So I'm very happy for the fact that we have some

changes, because this means that they are not due to injuries, it

means the squad is bigger and with the first 15, with the second 16, it

is important for us. here is the starting line-up. Going through a

transitional period. They need parity upfront. Minto comes in

because he played well against Wales when he came on. The key for me is

half backs. Gori and Allan. They need to get control and kick when

they need to kick. Garcia and the man of the match from last week,

Campagnaro. McLean kicked very well. Sarto.

The drift defence did well. This is good. They go wide straightaway.

Takes the defence. A lovely kick with great pace. I think defensively

they were very solid. It surprised me. If they can do the defensive

jobs today, I think they will do OK. It is interesting, we talk about

players to watch with Italian teams and we always talk about Parisse,

but that always seems a palpable change in the way they are trying to

play? Ever since Dominguez, they have struggled with a number ten.

Parisse has an awareness about him. But the main man is Gori. They are

going through a transitional period. They have got to work hard in the

scrum and go forward. Last week they tried to go wide a little bit too

early and it did not break the defence down. To start in Cardiff

and then come to France, it is very difficult. Talking about coming to

France, it is obvious to say the best match of the championship so

far was here last weekend. What a start to the Six Nations. A second

try, what an opening quarter. Helter-skelter rugby. England are

level. It has been a thriller in Paris and

the home team have won it. Two home games stoop kick off your

championship campaign and you have got off to a great start. But it

counts for little if you cannot back it up, how confident are you of

building on that result? It is very important. We must remember what we

did and what they did to us last year. We need to put some flair in

the game fund improved from last week. Italy have not enjoyed success

in Paris but they have beaten you twice in the last three years, what

kind of threat do they pose today? They are strong. They have a good

set piece. We need to improve in our game. We will have to beat Italy in

the contact area. A sense of expectation in France about what

this side might achieve? Yannick Nyanga was my man of the

match last week. He was everywhere. Bastareaud looked off the pace

against England. This is a back three that can carve up any defence.

Let's go to the touchline. We are with the legendary French

flanker who was here last weekend who enjoyed the win against England.

What has been the reaction in France to that performance? The French team

were relieved in winning the game. The players were very happy. Is it

too early to talk about a French championship this year? No, they had

to take the game and they have to believe and be consistent on their

game plan and make sure they will start well. Let's talk about the

highlight, Yannick Nyanga, I think he beat more defenders than any

other player in the opening weekend. How impressed are you with him? He

was an outstanding player. In defence he was really great. Today

he is going to be also line-out captain. That means he will take

another level on his game for the French team. They have to make sure

he gets a chance for the future. Great things to look forward to.

Talking about one outstanding French player who only came on for a few

minutes. There are people who do their job and there are dynamic

fireballs. This man fits into the second category? Szarzewski is

fantastic. He seems to lack a bit of composure when he starts. His

catching and passing last week was fantastic and his timing. I look at

you, it is strange how some players are better as impact players, coming

on with just 20 minutes to go than they are from the start, why is

that? It can be down to composure, dealing with the pressure. Then you

get an opportunity that 20 minutes, you don't know when you are coming

on and you don't have to worry about the build-up. We can see our

pictures, Perry is just about to lead the Italians out onto the

pitch. -- Sergio Parisse. Class is forever. He goes in every week

playing in the Top 14 in France and puts in a full shift. He has got to

carry the whole team most of the time. We had some good players

coming through this French squad so hopefully he will not have to work

so hard. He is a great layer. I love the images we saw earlier on. He is

trying to build up all the players to get them to deliver. He still has

that passion. He has been on a bad team for the most part. He is world

class, but it shouldn't be an individual thing, he would like to

see Italy winning something. We talk about the back row as a team, he has

often had to go on his own with a couple of men around him in support.

It would be unfair to mention Mauro Bergamasco, 16 years after he made

his debut. It is inconceivable to have a Six Nations championship

without Bergamasco and at the age of 34, he is still doing it? They have

been very careful the way they have used him over the years. He was a

star 16 years ago. Quality is permanent. The biggest contingent of

travelling Italian fans in the Six Nations, you will see here in Paris

because it is almost like a local derby. They come here with a measure

of optimism after what Italy did last week. If France don't get this

right, it is a potential banana skin? France are looking like a

counter attack side and that is the way they took on England. They

counter attack brilliantly. If they go from the off, there is so much

flair in the backline they could rip the Italians to pieces. But the

coach just once a solid performance. The most exuberance of rugby players

has become the most conservative rub B coach!

Can France make it two from two? Now we have Jonathan Davies and Andrew

Cotter. They always sing well here.

Victory last week, but the line-up has been tweaked for France. One

change in the backs. Italy have made five changes from

the one that tested Wales. The referee is from South Africa,

Jaco Peyper. We had a moment there, a charity kick-off. A little bit

Diana Ross like, from 1994. So we are ready.

France against Italy. Can France start as they finished last week

against England? Their fans, as they always do in the Stade de France,

demand the highest quality. A deep and unfamiliar kick from

Bastareaud. Play, says the, that's fine. -- the

referee. Picamoles, what a power he is.

And mostly directed kick to get France some field position. Yes,

lovely kick. Interesting to see if he takes over as the general. We

usually see it from the scrum-half in France. They have showed their

intent very early on, putting the ball wide. The first line-out works

well for Italy. That is a very good kick, great

height on it. Two tries last week for Huget.

Scrum advantage to France, but they are pouring forward anyway. A great

drive once again, that they have slowed it down once again. It was a

penalty advantage. We always talk about the Italian

quest to find a fly half of the number of fly halves that France

have used, Plisson is the latest. Yes, there has been a lot of

chopping and changing, in the fridge stand-off. -- French. They never

have really had a settled ten, have they?

Advantage to France, so a penalty... France, storming through anyway.

Picamoles uses that power. Still advantage to France. They may soon

have a try. They kept their shape, the Italians.

The whistle had gone before. Such a destructive runner, Picamoles. Very

powerful. I like it when a referee just blanks

a player, leaves them chatting to Finnair! -- to Finnair.

The first pop at goal, a rather straight on heating technique from

Doussain. -- kicking technique. A groan from the crowd, and awful,

awful kick from Doussain. Yes, just pushed that to the left. When you

get good pressure and good field position, if they do infringe, you

have to take those three points. It was yen only commute is fresh in

the side today. -- Iannone. He is taking clearly without the

ball. That is a bad, bad call by the winner. Yen only just doesn't need

to do it. -- Iannone. Doussain is going to have a go. Is positive, who

he is in for today, made that rather messy attempt to pick up the ball

early on against Wales, and Cuthbert scored -- is positive. A more

difficult kick for Doussain. It was weaving around all over the

place, not your strike. They have missed a couple of kicks

can but they still may have a try. Some loose passing by the French.

Picamoles related that, and Pape is there.

Always a little bit of a buzz whenever Picamoles shuffles his way

forward. The drop goal attempt is not pretty, it is wide as well. I'm

not sure if that is the right decision. Has to be a little more

patient, goes through the phases. I have been very impressed with the

Italian defence so far. They have kept their shape and the line speed

has been very good. That is a poor effort by Plisson. Good pressure.

Le Roux was there. I'm not sure what happened, I thought the first one

came off Huget. So still Italy can't get away from their own 22.

Just having a little pause at the moment, very early days, but was

ashen... They had a great start against England, the French. They

had to tries from kicks and lucky bounces. That one bit of magic at

the end. These games are to be the measure of Italy was top notch games

in Rome where they can always come close, they had to say about -- see

about teams like France. Tough, low, squat French front row.

He did well there, Huget. France get a chance to come again.

The Italian defence, how very smartly. -- out very smartly.

Eventually, the clearing kick by Garcia. Very good kick as well.

He decides to have a bit of a run, up to halfway. Italy, finally making

their way into the French have, just. -- the French half. Italy have

to hope that the crowd can fall silent. Penalty to Italy, they may

have a chance at goal here. They have done exactly what they had to

do, it did defence, frustrate the French. They have had two penalties,

come away with nothing, they have two silenced the crowd in Paris and

they will go for gold. Tommy Allan, is so far the greatest kicker.

The chase was very lazy by Francis. The opportunity for Maclean to make

good yards. He's a steady pair of hands at fullback, the

Australian-born look Maclean. His 54th cap today. Gonzalo Garcia is

kicking well, he is going to take this one.

Not much penetration, to be honest. A few sloppy passes. It takes the

pace out of the movement. Garcia is in today at centre. A chance,

despite the French early pressure, to put Italy in front.

Just short. I was being charitable! The quality of the goal-kicking, is

not good, to be honest. We talked about Barneveld's father, Eric. He

was the centre of the 80s. What a good few centres there were.

Parisse, always the go to men. -- go to man.

Bergamasco loves the confrontation. It is amazing how quiet 80,000

people can be in a stadium when the opposition has the ball. Allan

decides to take it forward. Easily watched. Luke Maclean comes forward

again. -- Luke McLean. Italy coming back into this match. After the

early pressure by France. Through no took the hit as he took the ball. A

penalty to France. -- Furno. The defence is definitely on top at

the moment. Bastareaud is just taking the ball up the middle. He

has got to take on the flat ball, take it forward. Bastareaud is very

well padded. He is a powerful, powerful man. France have looked

strong in the opening exchanges. But just drifted away a little bit. Here

is Bonneval. Trying to off-load to get the

overlap on the outside, but good Italian pressure. Very well

directed. Could have gone horribly wrong but just the right side of the

corner flag. That was a great kick. See how they defend. There he goes,

past Le Roux. This is the kick. Brilliant kick. The bounds favours

France. First bit of pressure. Big line-out. Italy go for the

abbreviated version. France are going to get the scrum out of this

one. Not the place to tackle, to be honest. Very, very good pressure.

All sorts of trouble. This will be the first real test for the

Italians. I am sure the French will try to get in here? Domingo is down.

He has been struggling with injuries. There is Brunel. This is

his final job in coaching. Domingo is back on his feet and sort

of looking OK. Not long back after an operation on his knee in

November. French scrum, five metres out. The crowd will, will them on

here. What a statement from Italy. That

was a brilliant scrum by the Italians. The applause is

well-deserved. The penalty will bring them clear. That is a shock

for France because they were so solid against England. The Italian

scrum has not really been the vintage Italian scrum. No, it

hasn't. Bastareaud he says way to the 22,

but the ball was spilled. He had to put that penalty into touch. This is

the scrum, look at that. Great drive. The French scrum broken up.

Parisse applauding his pack. Italy inside their own half, but it is

their ball. The Italian scrum has the better of France and they will

get another penalty. One is something, but two is something very

special for Italy because it wasn't a fluke, clearly the first one?

Domingo is suggesting they are slipping the bind, the French prop.

They are the stronger scrum at the moment, the Italians. Luke McLean

this time will not try to bite off too much with this one. Safely into

touch just inside the French are. 20 minutes gone and no score. -- French

half. Allan onto Bergamasco. Thing is

starting to go Italy's away. The revelry is still playing advantage

to Italy. -- the referee. Just a helpful click through the

middle because they have the penalty coming. Back they come. Opening

thoughts? I think the scrum is really frightful for the Italian

team. We know they are not always consistent with the scrum, they need

to be careful. It is a concern for France. It is going to be a pop at

goal. They have shortened their line-outs, the Italians. From the

line-outs, you give it to the back row and they charge over. They are

not the biggest centres in rub the, the Italians.

He was well short in his first one. It is almost the same kick, for

Garcia. Domingo not happy with the first couple of scrums for France.

He had the distance that time, but not the direction. It is fairly even

so far. Risky off-loading but it works well for France. Clearly

offside. Gori takes on Pape. It will give place on a chance to move

France deep into the Italian half. -- Plisson. It won't take too much

longer before the French crowd loses patience. They are not a patient

lot. After their win against England, you expect a better

performance. Captain, Pape, takes it. Le Roux trying to take the head

of Furno. Bastareaud had to check his run for a moment, did not have

full momentum. Spreading. Szarzewski has had a good game so far, has

carried well. Still France, just a little bit hesitant. Advantage to

France, they have at least three points coming. A chance here as the

fullback races towards the line. Income all of the White jerseys.

Bergamasco clears. They cannot miss this one. I think they will take the

concession of three points? Dulin had a little look to see who was in

front of him. He went on the outside break. Treatment to Leonardo Sarto.

Quickly taken penalty. First points of the day go to France. 26 minutes

gone. Dulin has a look. Great defence. He has a quick look up to

see who was in front of him and it is a Hawker. It was a great tackle

by Sarto commented that be made. Garcia bounces of one. Bastareaud in

with a challenge. No blue shirts around the market.

Who ever did that should be in the bin. He is off again. They will come

back for the penalty. That is a penalty in the red zone. That has

got to be a yellow card. He cannot just give a penalty. It is a try

scoring opportunity on the left-hand side for the Italians. He knows the

number, Dulin, number 15 and that is a yellow card. Let's have another

look at that one. Garcia with the initial break. This is the end of

the movements. This is the break. We will have another look at that in a

moment. Allan to draw Italy level. Deserving of that type, Italy. --

tie. Near enough half an hour gone. He has played under 20s rugby for

Scotland. Tommy Allan will go no further.

Parisse was so smartly up there. Yes, clear knock-on. Let's look at

this one once more. There he is, he gets up. He is off his feet. Why is

that not a yellow card? I think he is likely to be on.

Everyone is complaining that the slow ball is ruining the game,

defences are on top, you get things like that happening, you have got to

have the conviction to bin them. He is working well with Italy,

Jacques Brunel. They are playing a more expensive type of rugby now. --

expansive. We saw Forest DA, waiting to come on. Domingo has been

struggling. I think he's not too long for this game, that he is

carrying on Finnair. Forest dear sits down again.

A good contest so far, this. Nothing to suggest it might be close come

the end. -- it won't be close. Better from France. It wasn't

straight, but the inconsistency in penalising the feet is

extraordinary. There is another penalty for them.

No advantage coming stop --. The referee will lose patience if

France continue like this. So will the French supporters.

Castrogiovanni, 103rd cap, drawing level with the most capped Italian

players of all time. They bounce back, the Italians, now they have an

opportunity to get in front. With Nyanga and the Picamoles, they have

two be able to get forward. This one is slightly more difficult. He is

not the deadliest kicker. Well, they cannot win this game if

they do not land those cakes. Tommy Allan has missed a few already,

playing against Argentina. He just snatches a bit at that. That is an

easy kick and at this level, you don't see quality kicker is missing

that. That's what it's all about. You build the pressure, you take

your points. You cannot miss those opportunities. What a boost it gives

to Ireland. A wonderful run from the fallback,

and now Picamoles. The Italians had time to regroup.

Great running from the French. France have the penalty coming now.

What a turnaround there. Could have been a lead for Italy. Exactly. May

well now be a lead from France. Suddenly the pace there that France

were able to inject, all coming from the run from Dulin. He just needed

someone with him, someone on his shoulder who was looking for it. But

this guy is such a powerful runner. They have got to get him, ball in

his hands. Brilliant run. He might happen off

the pitch for ten minutes. -- have been off the pitch. Just that past

behind takes the place of the movement.

This went just sneaks inside. Sometimes you go the other way with

the next one, and France lead. How quickly scores in rugby can

change. What might have been for Italy. Just over five minutes to go

in this first half. It is a French penalty this time. It

is a French penalty, but encouraging signs for Italy. Dulin, very quick

with the kick. It is called back to the actual mark. Let's look at how

this game has shaped up in terms of possession, France have had the bulk

of it, but Italy have been coming back into it. They will be happy

with how they have defended. They have had a lot of possession but

they have defended very well and the French haven't really threatened,

haven't created anything. After that too quick penalty from the wrong

place, Doussain finds decent touch. They have lost a bit of

concentration, the Italians. Di Marchi, he does some great runs.

Very O, that. When you have got Bastareaud in the centre, just give

it to him and just go up the middle. -- very lateral, that. Advantage to

France as well, they may have another score before half-time.

The referee, still giving France a chance to have a shot here. They

have the train create something. They have the penalty coming. -- to

try and create something. Eight penalties now against the

Italians. Huget, couple of early tries last

week, no tries so far today. Bergamasco, no friendliness from his

fellow hairy friend. It looked good from Doussain, and

France's lead is stretched. Italy may ask themselves how they find

themselves six points adrift. But France, rather more successful with

the boot. Silly little errors, that's all,

that's the difference so far. He was going forward to have a word.

Good time for the line-out. Tommy Allan went for a big chunk of

territory, so Italy will have a final shot at perhaps earning a

penalty or a drop goal before half-time.

Minto was the man of the line-out, here comes the drive. Castrogiovanni

complains. Just as it came away, a little

knock-on, says the referee, so that brings the first half to an end. A

very, very even contest. Defences on top, no creativity whatsoever. Silly

little errors or indiscipline by the Italians, everything to play for in

the second half. If you were watching yesterday, Sir

Clive Woodward was was saying international matches are one by

mistakes. Doussain didn't have his kicking boots on earlier on, but he

eventually gave the French lead but it was 26 minutes before he made it

3-0. Then it was 3-3, then 6-3 and Tommy Allan missed an absolute

sitter which could have given Italy the lead.

Scotland gave away 16 penalties which meant that at key moments of

the game they found themselves on the back foot. The same goes for

Italy today, at key moments, somebody's do something they

shouldn't, so whatever momentum Italy might have had is snatched

away. Absolutely, they don't get any rhythm in the game. It's not the

same guy making the same mistake, that is the problem they have, they

are mixing it up on that front. The reason both of you are pundits and

not coaches is because it would drive you round the bed that you

tell players, don't do this, and then they systematically do it. It

is easier in some cases when you are watching from afar. I haven't got

the patience for this, basic errors are costing you momentum and

territory. He gets the ball ripped out by a winger who his office size

and strength. It is exasperating for everybody frustrating for the

coaches, frustrating for your team-mates. You miss penalties, you

are supposed to keep the score ticking over, but you are not doing

it. I thought Allan missing at the start was the captain's fault. He is

asking a young out to kick it from 47, 40 eight yards. Then he missed a

sitter in front of the posts. France had been disappointing, what about

France with the ball in their hands? They are not ambitious being

creative and leading -- leaving it to the forwards. Look how flat the

attacking line is. You can see the space out wide and that is where the

ball should go. Maestri goes in. It is boring rugby. Where is the

depth? Bastareaud should be nice and flat. And even the great Wesley

Fofana, I don't think the guys outside are calling for the ball.

They have been told to bully their way inside the 22. Is Bastareaud an

international centre? He is, because he is playing, but no he is not. You

are looking for a man to take the ball. If he is an international

centre he needs to take the ball flying. Instead he is standing deep

without running onto the ball to be a playmaker. They are playing to

orders. Forwards take it up there, get into the red zone. And then just

maul it over. The French react in, a little bit like they did against the

English and then just counterattacking. That is what

Bastareaud does. Don't ask him to be creative. Let's come back to

something you are more at ease with talking about, the Italian scrum on

a couple of occasions, they marvel lies the French? I loved the first

one. The art of striking and hooking the ball is gone. It was a penalty

from the start. This is under their own ball. It is harder, only seven

men, one of them striking. Willie and right-hand shoulder. Everything

is up where they want it to be. -- brilliant. France were complaining

something wrong was happening. But they were not putting the effort

into the scrum. There has not been too much to invigorate you, but it

has been an interesting game? The French are trying to stifle and slow

everything down. All the Italians are in that space and there are lots

of area to attack. But they go short. Because the Italian support

is too wide they cannot get there in time. They do get the penalty but it

is out of the blue. It is an moment of magic, Italian magic. But you

could not see it coming. The French crowd were expecting a lot, you only

had to read the local paper. They thought they were going to kick on

from beating England last week, and they have not done that. This is the

system and we will not deviate from it? French club rugby, this is what

they play all the time. But it is not what French rugby was about. It

was about the flair of the back. The only time there was a bit of flair

was one run out from the 22. Then everybody started reacting. Then it

looked fantastic and what we have been used to in the past. The crowd

reacted accordingly. Then back to the old thing, let's just truck it

up. The viewers at home cannot see the whole of the pitch. When you can

see, when it is just one off balls and running out with the big guys,

the backs are walking and not shouting for the ball. It is

appalling. It frustrates me because there is so much talent. Is that

because they know what the next phase is going to be? When you have

a class of those players. The fear was they would open up from

anywhere. That is not a fear at the moment. France could go on and win

but Italy are with in with that chance. If they put over a couple of

kicks, they will be equal. You have been living every minute of this

game, jumping up and down. I thought you were going to put your boots on

and get out on the pitch. Having seen the way they performed last

week against England, is Italy stopping France being able to play?

Yes, it is the Italian blade. They are into the game and started very

well. Great aggressive defensive line. France are allowing the

Italian team to go to them. It is true that the Italians should be

ahead. We are fortunate I think enough to be ahead at half-time. I

hope we start with a lot of pressure to make them commit to the ruck and

then create the gap from there. What do you expect from France? You said

you hope they play flatter rush to mark they are too deep. And

therefore, the Italian team don't commit. They need to create the gap

to score the try. The teams will be out for the second half.

Players out in a couple of moments, so just enough time to tell you

about what is on tonight. All the goals from yesterday on what

was an extraordinary day in the Premier League. As far as the Six

Nations is concerned, a weekend off next week. Back on Friday week at

the Millennium Stadium with this will be featuring Genia Jones,

winning the bronze medal. That is 7pm tonight on BBC Two. The Olympics

are on wall-to-wall here in France, they have more medal contenders than

us, but not looking too clever out on the rugby field at the moment.

And for most of the neutrals, they want to see France play in the kind

of romantic, mythical way almost, we imagine them to play. That seems to

have gone from their game? I think it has gone because of the coaches.

They have tried to instil a level of discipline. But discipline can be

boring. They are too good. They are too good to be playing in this

predicament. It is all very well getting your discipline correct,

four penalties against England last week was unbelievable. But when you

have that talent and skill set, you have that brilliance, you have got

to let it free. Italy gave away eight penalties in the first half,

most of them in fundamental positions. That will be something

their coaching staff have addressed in the dressing room. There is only

one score in it and Italy have the opportunity to record their first

ever victory here in France in the Six Nations. What does the second

half have in store for us, let's go back to Andrew Carter and Jonathan

Davies. Can Italy under that man, Parisse?

Only six points the difference. Could have been much closer. Could

even have been an Italian lead. France come to life.

No changes to either side. The French crowd will start to call and

cry out for someone like the 19-year-old centre to come on. It

would be nice to see someone creating something.

Exciting players everywhere. Perhaps not an exciting system.

Italy's early scrum promise is disappearing. Big recovery in the

scrum from France. The Italians looked very strong than all of a

sudden it is a turnaround. It must be a lack of concentration, isn't

it? I think it pretty much is. France must have had an absolute

rollicking at half-time. They are not playing with flair at the back.

In a couple of line-outs they have gone wide in the first phase, very

easy to defend. With every inch it creeps forward

Picamoles is through. He gets a. We will check it. Parisse as saying he

was held. This is the finish. A valiant

effort. He plays the ball immediately. The crowd don't know

that. There is no block whatsoever, no obstruction. It is a great

tackle. Szarzewski was in the way. He just balls out of it, he doesn't

even know where he is, the French hooker. -- falls out of it. He can

place the ball immediately in any direction and I think that is

tried. There is Szarzewski coming out. Did Szarzewski know what he was

doing? I am not sure that he did. What a player he is, Picamoles. His

sixth try for France. As I said in the first, Nyanga, Picamoles,

Bastareaud, those are the players who get you over the line,

dangerous, attacking runners. On this occasion, he bursts out and

scores, a very good finish. Just what France were looking for, so

soon after the break will stop --. The stuffing is not out of Italy

with that seven point, and suddenly, France are a long way clear. He

breaks out, it is a valiant effort. He is too big and too strong. He

places the ball immediately, try. How to take for Castrogiovanni and

friends. -- hard to take. The crowd has been sparked into

life. Dulin, the French fullback, carries

it on. Accelerates and uses his way past one tackle but though, Scope

got him. -- Bergamasco. This is where Italy have to be so

wary, with the something else from France would be... It is a wonderful

break from Fofana! Fofana with the try! Two tries in two minutes!

France, devastating. We talked about his touch of star quality, there it

is. Maclean will be disappointed, he got his angles right. That is a

great finish, just the awareness. He is just too powerful, Fofana. That

is a very, very good try. Gets on the outside, quick ball, Maclean

will be disappointed. Just the pace and power, gets

through the tackle. Great finish by Fofana.

Nine tries in 23 caps, very decent return.

And from nowhere, it is a 20 point lead for France. Six minutes into

the second half. They have broken away, the French.

And with that, France are going to make a couple of changes after this

passage of play. They are going to freshen up the

front row. Difficult now to see a way back.

They are singing their national anthem around the stadium. Good

tackle. That is a great tackle. Penalty, though, to France.

Bergamasco is looking for some fun with the roof.

We see the French team play is flatter, with a quick ball, we see

Fofana flying over the defence of Italy, he scored this try.

Amazing, those two tries turned the game around entirely. This was the

hit on Garcia. I don't know why the centre is carrying the ball into

contact when he has the back rollers either side of him. Forest year is

coming on. And there is slim ani, they are on for Nicholas Mas and the

Minder. -- Domingo. Maclean, still smarting from that.

They need to get their hands on the ball for a bit, the Italians. It was

so even in the first half but you suspect it was because France were

under par. So, Italy's line-out. What do Italy

have in response? Campagnaro has been quite today, the man of the

match last weekend. -- quiet today. Into touch it goes, but good ground

made by Italy. Minto is coming off. Quite surprised

Zanni wasn't picked at the start of the game. A very impressive player,

Zanni. We talk about the experience of Bergamasco and Castrogiovanni,

but Zanni also has many caps. A quick look at the fixtures to

come, France are and it is Fofana again! He doesn't

have the lakes himself, he looks for Huget! Not quite there! But there

was one of our! A try on his debut for Barneveld. Support play from

both wingers, absolutely fantastic finish. Good awareness by Fofana.

There is the loose pass. Fofana gets it, looks around, lovely ball. Great

defence by the Italian winger, but a lovely inside pass. Bonneval scores,

that is a million finish. France can still play and still scored tries

the length of the pitch. It was a great tackle by Sarto, though. Hugo

Bonneval has certainly scored tries like that. His father would be very

proud. France are rampant in the second half. They are flying now.

Now every kick is landing from Doussain. Smile for Philippe

Saint-Andre. Sarto did well to get there. Yes,

but great play from the French wingers. Even at the end of that

run, he still had the presence of mind to off-load.

This is looking rather ugly for Italy now. You think about what

points difference might mean at the end of the line.

Mini games to be played, other sides in contention.

The dreaded Mexican wave is back. The unmentionable Mexican wave.

It actually looks quite good inside the Stade de France.

You couldn't do that at Cardiff Arms Park!

Di Marchi and Parisse have been too bright players for Italy today.

Good ground has been made by Bergamasco.

good tackle. Well read by Bonneval. Having a go inside the 22,

Bergamasco gets it back. Luke McLean. Penalty coming to Italy. De

Marchi, good strength as well. Still advantage Italy. Still Italian

advantage. Allan tried to slip through unnoticed. Incomes

Bergamasco. Back for the penalty. Long advantage, but all the way back

they will come. The crowd is billing, as it they don't enjoy

watching this. Bergamasco is in there again. Calm down boys, calm

down. When the whistle goes, you stop playing. South African meets

Frenchman and an Italian. It sort of the message across. Bergamasco has

been in some real scraps during his career. De Marchi is doing well,

isn't he? He certainly is. France are making a change. They are

changing their hooker. Kayser is coming on. Picamoles and Szarzewski

exit. It is Italy's ball. Penalty to France. Holding onto the

ball. That is a shame, it is a very good attacking position. But they

are holding on once again. Italy getting ready to change their

whole front row, which they will do now.

De Marchi, Castrogiovanni our wrath. That was a good steel from Parisse.

Italy have it. They had created the opportunity to go left. Zanni drops

it. Parisse disagreeing with the referee. Into the final quarter of

the match, a 27 point lead, France coasting to victory. There was just

a half a chance there for Italy. The referee talking to Kayser. He said

the next early show of will be a penalty. This is what Parisse has

done. This final quarter could be quite a

long for Italy. I'm sure France have another in them somewhere.

Good support by Le Roux. Machenaud got back as a way nice. It bounces

kindly the Italy -- for Italy. Italy just get the scrum. The

Italians just don't have that cutting edge, unfortunately. Not

enough creativity. Bit of a break for some treatment.

France always looking for a great fly-half. He has made a lot of

tackles. That is the way the game is changing. They need a strong

defender. He is not a massively powerful man, but he has been very,

very stout in defence. France did the damage in a 15 minute passage.

Not even that, ten minutes. Took this game beyond Italy.

France away to Wales in a fortnight. Then they are at Murrayfield. Then

here against final -- Ireland on the final day. Italy in Rome against

Scotland in a fortnight, then in Dublin. Then in Rome against England

on the final weekend. Penalty, as the referee loses patience. Blaming

the French. Italy up to the French 22. More

changes. It is that time of the game. They all come wandering on.

Orquera will come on at fly-half for Italy. Orquera wasn't used last week

against Wales. He is on now. Allan is off for Orquera. Italy have spend

a lot of time in the French half, but not doing much with it.

Good pace the Italy with Leonardo Sarto. Still going. Still going. Up

to five minutes from the French line. He has got the ball back the

Italy. For no good just not get there. It was so close. Furno. Great

tackle. Committed to it. He lost the ball. He rode the tackle, I feel.

This is a great run by Sarto. Keeps on going, keeps on his feet and his

legs pumping. Does exceptionally well. A great pass. Desperate

tackle. If he keeps the ball, he scores.

Space in front of Luke McLean. Great play by Bergamasco. Still Italy.

France switching off after those tries. Is it still there for Italy?

Five metres out. They have no one in the back now, the Italians, they

will have to keep it tight. Zanni is going, two metres short. Can Italy

get there through the middle? Still going! Botes dives and may have

scored. He is not too excited, is he? Botes have the ball.

It is trying isn't it? This is the angle that will tell us if there was

a hand under the ball. That has got to be tried. That is his own hand.

If that ball is on the line, it has got to be a try. We can see the line

there. I don't think any other angle will tell us. That is the only

angle. I am not sure that is the angle. We need to see where the line

is. Was it Le Roux? His arms, lying on the floor? Great tackle. I think

you should score there. I see a hand under the ball, can you

advise whether there was a grounding? I'm going back for

advantage penalty. I don't see how he could give the try there. I think

it was Le Roux who was on the ground, just that is armed there. A

great opportunity to score. More changes. France are making

these changes. And there is Trinh-Duc. He is on, 13

minutes, decent run out. It is still Italy's ball.

At the heart of that drive. Penalty to Italy.

Gets fairly close to the French try-line.

Gravity was his friend here, Bastareaud.

He has hooved that away. And Vahaamahina might get a yellow card

here. He is not long on the field. As we know, they have only got one

ball inside the stadium! There we are, ten minutes, he has just come

on, that's the end of his game. He will have 30 seconds at the end. I

think that was frustration committee kicked the ball away. Not the

brightest move, though. And he passes the Italian sub coming

on, Marco Bortolami. He comes on for his 101st cap. Coming on for

Geldenhuys. Seven man for France now, with

Vahaamahina off, Italy were vented their chances here. -- will fancy

their chances. What is he looking at here? Just for

that scuffle? Looking for possible foul play after the whistle has

gone. OK, we will check. Not sure what was in that. There was a

little... We might have seen the start of an uppercut there.

You can't see from that angle, can you? There is the Bucks, then there

is another one. And there is an uppercut.

There is the first one. There is the second one. It is a bat on Slimani,

the French prop. I think that is being seen on the big screen. Give

them two yellow cards and let's get on with it.

Someone is suggesting a straight red. Can we get another look at

that? I will try. It is Rizzo, the Italian replacement loose-head.

There is another bot. It will be too straight Reds here?

Penalty against blue. Two Reds and a penalty to France. Head-butt, read

per you, you reacted, red for you. Slimani is off. And Rizzo is off as

well. Rizzo shakes his head. Two red cards in this Six Nations match

comment into the final ten minutes. Vahaamahina doesn't look quite so

bad now! Trying to remember the last time

there were two red cards in the Six Nations match.

I feel a little bit sorry for slim money. He gets batted, sometimes it

is just a reaction. 14 men against 13 now. Vahaamahina off for a red

card. Slimani, off for a read. Interesting final moments in this

match. The scoreboard hasn't changed in a long while.

Italy, once again into the 22, they haven't yet delivered the killer

blow. They love a bit of violence here at

the Stade de France! It's all getting a bit stranger. --

strange here. This is where play has been happening in the second half.

It's what you do with possession that counts.

It is Italy with the attack, again, and once again, Zanni. He is on his

own, he's isolated there. We haven't had a score for a while

but we have had some events! There he is, try scorer last week, still

19 years old. What a talent. He turns 20 next month.

DiMarco coming back on, they have to bring a front row back on. Just as

Bergamasco was getting the scent of blood in his nostrils. Before this

scrum, let's hear from surge again. Yes, we had a lot of control of the

set piece, especially the scrum, really pleased to see the French

playing this way. It is true that the first ten minutes of the second

half were really great, to see the control, to see the speed of the

ball and to see those two tries from Fofana and the young winger. It

really was a devastating spell from France. Nicholas Mas is back on

their, on the French tight head, they also were down.

Italy, still with that man advantage. They may get a penalty.

They are trying to hold them up here.

He has injured himself, I think there. He went straight in and

chucked him at the ankles, Di Marchi. I think he is all right.

It is a tactic that is coming back in, the really, really low tackle.

Le Roux felt that. I think he got his head on the wrong side.

Good play by the referee. The knee catches him. Very painful. Any kids

watching, get your head on the right side when you're tackling.

It is all quite even. All the stats are quite even as well, except the

scoreboard. Le Roux is on his feet. He has got to go off. If he has been

contrast, he has got to go off, or if his legs have gone and be

assessed on the touchline to make sure he is OK or not OK to carry on.

Bernard Le Roux qualified on the residency qualification. Has done

well today but is off after the nasty knock from many of De Marchi.

-- from the knee. Italy have been battering away, but

no try yet. They are getting closer and closer. They must have a try!

The winger has earned the tries. It eventually comes the Italy. Great

play by the Italian pack. Total control. It comes from the halfbacks

and then they release Iannone to score. Good try, Italy.

Lovely ball by Botes. Very good play. Iannone in for his first try

in Italian colours. Can version to come for Orquera, not a try that

will make a difference to the result, but some reward for all of

their endeavour. Straight through from Orquera, so

Italy up to ten points. Brian Moore will be watching this and saying, "

I know when the last game was two players were sent off on the same

side". It was 1982, both sent off for France. One sense from either

side here in the front row. Lots of Italian players out wide.

Shame Botes did not get on the end of that pass, I can tell you. " go

on, son, run onto its". Years ago, you had to commit

grievous bodily harm to be sent off. He cannot wait to come back on.

Little bit long. Fumble by Bortolami. On he comes, 30 seconds.

14 players apiece now, even. Looking at the 20 points difference at the

moment, and it all adds up in the context of the championship. Some

interesting games left. A distinct lack of scoring in the

final quarter, just a try from Italy. Fran is a clear after those

three tries. -- France broke clear. Final seconds remain. Final passage

of play. Still with Italy. Luke McLean. Not

gone, that is the end. Man of the match? It has to be Wesley Fofana.

Just the difference was, when the opportunities came, France had the

ability to finish them off. The Italians created just one very good

try. Fran is just up their opportunities when they came. Those

tries from France give them a comfortable victory.

Interesting second half. I'm sure the double sending-off will create

controversy. Play two, 12 and he would have taken that eight days

ago? Yes, and he would have taken the score as well. I imagine he had

some harsh words at second -- half-time. It was a different team

that came out. Their two best players turn it on. Picamoles did

well in the first half. And Wesley Fofana, man of the match. It was

very close until Picamoles's try. If we don't have time of" -- programme,

let's have a quick word about the Italians. 70% of the play was in the

French half. Many congratulations, two from two,

an incident packed match, what it your initial thoughts? We did some

good work for 55, 60 minutes. We scored some good tries. The last 20

minutes, nothing happened, a lot of penalties from both sides. Two red

cards. It was disappointing in the last 20 minutes. We did not have the

ball for the last 20 minutes. What are your thoughts on the yellow card

and then the double red card? I don't know, I need to look on the

video. I think the yellow card, it is a young kid, it was more stupid,

but it is very harsh. As for the penalty, I don't know. But we scored

three good tries. The last 20 minutes was not high level. A

devastating ten minutes after the break, what did you say at

half-time? Last week, against England, it was terrible. To score

so many points in eight minutes, we were focused to start well in the

second half. Good luck next week. This is what the table looks like.

Inevitably, focus on the red cards. What did you think, Gerry? I think

the referee could have let play go and I don't think all of this would

have happened. He pulled it up and there was some frustration. You had

to call it as it is. There were two head butts. Clear for us to see and

they deserve to go. I thought there was nothing about anything happening

and then you see two head butts. You don't want to see that in the game.

You just cannot do it. It is stupid and they deserved the red cards.

Kicking the ball away? In football if you do that you get a yellow card

automatically but if everybody who kicked the ball away in rugby, just

to waste time a little bit, they wouldn't have any players on the

field. Sometimes you kick it away in frustration when the referee blows

the whistle. This is 30 seconds after. Let's talk about the passage

of play when France won the game, starting with Picamoles who has been

immense for France as long as he has been in the side. You had a feeling

France were on their way. That was their statement of intent. They went

for it. They sucked the Italians in and slipped around the side.

Szarzewski playing through. Was it obstruction? Did he deserve the try?

Picamoles is a great leading arm. Two lines of defence. Iannone gets

suckered in. He has gone off down there. He is quicker. Luke McLean

should have got him. Wesley Fofana is a classy player. This was

Italy's golden opportunity to get back into the game. Throw from

Bergamasco was intercepted. He passed it into Bonneval and he

scored on his debut. Bonneval looked as though he was coasting. Where

ever his father is, some were up here, a former French international,

how proud he must be of his son, scoring a try like that on his

debut. What do we make a France at the last weekend and this? They have

remembered how to win. They had an awful year last year. They played

some great rugby last week and played some great rugby this week.

They are not a finished article but they have regained that confidence

and they know they can win at home. They had to step up their game. They

are cruising at the moment. That first 12 minutes in the second half

is how we want to see them play all the time. Talk about Italy against

Scotland in a fortnight? On those performances, I would say Italy.

Scotland have not offered anything. Some players were fantastic. We go

back to Orquera because he is a playmaker. Interesting second

back to Orquera because he is a weekend, perhaps not the drama of

very much in the box seat with France. The organisers, maybe it was

a masterstroke to have France against Ireland as the finale in

France in five weeks. That is it from us today and we will see you on

Friday week for the third instalment beginning with Wales against France.