France v Italy Six Nations Rugby

Hi. My name is Tim Peake. Welcome on board the International Space

Station. I am speaking to you from about 400 kilometres above the

earth, just below me the southern hemisphere is still basking in rugby

World Cup glory. He is over the line, he has touched down and the

All Blacks are clear! New Zealand have won their third World Cup and

they have thoroughly deserved a great victory. As for Europe...

That's the worst thing I have seen on a rugby field for a very long

time. There are bodies lying on the pitch. It's sickening. You feel you

are never going to come back from it. After the darkness comes the

light. A fresh start, new faces and hopes rekindled. Hartley has been

named England Rugby Union captain ahead of the Six Nations. So, as a

new day dawns, good luck to all the teams. A great finish! For the line

and a try! And make this Six Nations out of this world.

Well, sitting in his tin can far above the world planet earth is blue

for Tim Peake as he looks down on a winter's day that promises an

enthralling start to this year's championships. For all the home

nations the World Cup is so last year. The future starts today in

France and Scotland, new coaches, new players, new hopes, new dreams.

Same magical competition which begins for real in 50 minutes or so

with a hugely symbolic match for the people of France with the first

international at the Stade de France since the terrorist outrage. The

match with Italy kicks off at 2. 25pm. Ireland and Wales completes

the opening weekend in Glyn tomorrow.

We have -- in Dublin tomorrow. Our new spaceship on theouts skirts

the pitch to give us a fantastic the pitch to give us a fantastic

view out of the playing arena and the pitch to give us a fantastic

are Jeremy Guscott and Mike Tindall. Over the years the Six Nations after

a World Cup can be after the Lord mayors show but there is a sense of

excitement about what happens over the six weeks. There is, I think,

because of what happened in the last weekend of 2015. It was

because of what happened in the last extraordinary, fantastic rugby. So

the anticipation, the expectation is for that to continue and we have

some great games to look forward to over the next five weekends. And

great confrontations to look forward to but the World Cup, it excited

people because it was enterprising and so open. Realistically, what can

we expect on the field of play do you think from this championship? I

think you hope that it continues in that way. World Cups are normally

built on defence. This time it was built on people attacking. Argentina

leading the way with that, and Japan leading the way with that. You hope

people, especially someone like Italy, looks at that, it's Jacques

Brunel's last Six Nations, he goes right, we have to go out there and

prove a point. Let's go and enjoy ourselves. Let's go show what we can

go do as athletes and hopefully you will see that with rugby all the way

through. All the teams seem to be approaching in different ways.

England almost rewriting it out of history. How much is Scotland using

the World Cup as a positive to build for the future? Very much so. This

time last year obviously Scotland were whitewashed in the Six Nations

and the World Cup, there was a step forward in lots of ways. They looked

like they were a comfortable squad, an experienced squad now. They're

taking that, how close they were to get to the semifinals, a real

positive and they're desperate to get into the next game which is

obviously here later on. We will start with our preview of what the

home nations can expect with England. Obviously it's a new

England now. The regime seems to have changed out of all recognition

since the team took the field in the World Cup three months or so ago.

The Lancaster regime is gone, replaced by a smiling uncompromising

Australian. One of the dreams of an

international coach is to win a World Cup. If you look at the

countries who are capable of winning the World Cup, England's one of

those countries. Given the performance at the last World Cup

was disappointing, when the offer came through it was an offer I

couldn't refuse. What a great opportunity to take a nation that's

domesticicly strong, has depth of players, that's not doing well at

the moment and try to take them up the ladder. How surprised have you

been about the interest in you? Well, not so much about me, but

about English rugby. There's this love for English rugby here. At the

same time, you can feel there's so many people are hoping it fails.

There is a great attention on the English rugby team. It's fantastic.

Do you think English rugby has lost a sense of identity? You don't know

really what you get with England any more? Graham Henry said after the

World Cup and I thought it was a relevant comment, he said it looked

like England were trying to copy New Zealand's style. England doesn't

need to copy anyone's style. It needs to develop its own style. What

does that mean? That means finding a way. Finding a way, if you have to

maul them to death, scrum them, we can outphase them. We have to

outkick them. If you look since 2004 the record in the Six Nations hasn't

been great in winning trophies. Maybe there's been a few short cuts

taken since then. Maybe the work hasn't been done to develop players

as much as it should have. To win trophies you need world-class

players. You look at Ireland, how many world-class players they've

had. Wales. Do England have world-class players now? Potentially

they do. No one at the moment would get into a world 15. Our aim is to

dominate if a Lions team is picked we want to see at least 50% of those

full of Englishmen. Is the talent there? It's definitely there. It

needs to be maximised. Firstly it's about the mindset of wanting to be a

top test star, understand the sacrifice it is costs. You have to

sacrifice, if you want to be a great team you have to sacrifice. What's

team unity like? One of the things I deliberately tried to do is get

cohesion, so we have had a couple of nights out together and in smaller

groups, just to get the guys to enjoy each other. They've been

allowed out for a beer? It's not banned? No, we work hard. I want the

players to work hard on the field. And off the field they've got to be

sensible and got to be professional and jn stand they have

responsibilities in English rugby player but there is no harm a guy

going out and having dinner and and a couple of pints. There is nothing

wrong with that as long as it's a couple and not ten, 15. Can you be

the vaviour of English rugby? -- saviour? I don't know but at the end

of the four years we will have a strong English team.

Sglp We will be replaying that quote I am sure a lot over the next four

years. I want to say Sonia and dill Lynne

Hartley, that's riveting television we will show you later on. You

played against Eddie Jones? I did back in 88, it was a fantastic side,

they pumped us in Sydney, it was a thrashing we got that day. What do

you make of the overemphasis about going out for a beer and this kind

of thing, is it important the cliche of bonding? As long a point it might

be, I think it does make a big difference. When you are in a

relaxed atmosphere you are having a couple of beers, obviously the right

person to ask me! You just get to know people on a different level. If

you are in an environment it is high pressure at elite sport. It is - you

are always thinking what you have to do on the field. To be able to sort

of sit down and go out for dinner, have drinks with the lads, actually

bond on a different level where you are not talking rugby, it does make

those small differences and I think it will benefit the squad. Obviously

from Jerry and Mike's point of view there is a vested interest in how

England do. Do you look at the Eddie Jones regime in revolutionary terms

or evolutionary? It's not been revolutionary, because look at the

side for the first game. It would have seen new caps and Clifford

maybe. So that might happen next week. It might still happen, that

revolution might come. But it is just an evolution at the moment. He

has played a blinder so far in his press conferences but that's what he

does. His sound bites are brilliant. Now we need to see the substance.

Whether they've had the time to really see that, he has had two

weeks with them, I think we will see that coming through the Six Nations

and beyond. I think it's all about the attitude. He has picked a side

with a real bite and attitude and that's saying something about his

regime. He strikes me as a no-nonsense guy. We heard about

Stuart Lancaster with the one on ones and they were long in

conversation. Eddie Jones is straight to the point, I think. He

won't hang around, they'll get one or two opportunities, after that he

will settle on a team. Is it a four-year project and does it matter

what happens in the intervening period or because of the way the

media is so intrusive and the all-seeing eye, has he got to win

games on the way, as well? 100%. He has a four-year contract. If England

don't win, the pressure comes on. That's when we will see another side

of Eddie Jones. Wales, interestingly on the last three World Cups, the

following season there's been a Grand Slam victory for France in

2004 and Wales in 2008 and 2012. Somebody who was at the heart of

those triumphs and right at the core of the Welsh team still is Alan Wyn

Jones. Ten years since you made your debut

almost. Yeah... Has time flown? Yeah, I know. I wish I was captain

at 15. I am thoroughly enjoying it. I never thought I would be

comfortable or feeling increasingly equipped to play the game. When you

look back at the World Cup how do you think of it now, pride,

frustration, what's the overriding feeling? I think we can be proud in

the fact we were gracious in all we had and we kept going and young guys

came in and had an opportunity and put their hands up. To a point we

probably had more development in the space of the few months than

probably get in a few years. It's a massive thing. Ultimately a couple

of games go a different way at certain times and we are talking

semifinal and beyond. But it's all behindsight now, we have to move

forward. Is the Six Nations different in a World Cup year,

especially a year when you were in the same pool as England? Yeah, but

not for the reason that we played them once already in a World Cup,

everyone's going to have an element of disarray going into it with a lot

of change in squads. There's probably some teams that feel

they're a bit skinny in certain areas because of injuries, etc. It's

going to be interesting to see where everything lines up because of the

playing load between the World Cup and the start of the Six Nations.

Start out in Dublin T will be a different one for you, no Paul oh

conto keep an eye on. -- O Connell. There is Toner to step probably to

the fore in their lineout. A few other guys coming into play

alongside him, as well. Generally, you are at ease with yourself at the

moment and with the rugby life? Yeah, I think so. No element of

complainency at all, but I think an element of confidence and

realisation where I am and what I am doing, what I can do. That gives you

confidence to be happy and enjoy and make the most of where you are and

what you are doing. Fatherhood, as well. You have a little daughter

now. Is that putting rugby in perspective, as well? Yeah, very

much so. I don't want to be harping on like I am the first guy playing

rugby that's had a kid. Yeah, I am very conscious of I have been in a

privileged position to play rugby and I feel even more so now that I

am able to play rugby and have a family life, as well. And make the

most of that and have a child is the best distraction from what can be

like I say a privileged position but also quite intense at times. Keep on

smiling, keep enjoying it. Yeah, I can't smile too much!

I am not allowed, apparently. Gareth Charles asking the questions

there. Listening to that in Paris was Jonathan Davies. Afternoon to

you. Afternoon, John. Minor delay on the line. Alan, it feels like

you. Afternoon, John. Minor delay on been there forever but he is still a

cornerstone of the side, isn't he? Yeah,

cornerstone of the side, isn't he? the Welsh set-up. I think he has

this aura about him, even just his presence inspires other players. He

does his work and in the set-piece but this year he has picked his game

up again and carries the ball a lot and he has been very important for

the Ospreys and he will be very, very important for Wales. If the

Welsh pack is pretty reliable, what do you make about the back division?

The book-makers have the Welsh team as a whole favourites and

convincingly favourites to score the most tries. Do you see that

potential in their back line? I am surprised by that because I can see

the potential there. But the systems they play, they don't score many

tries and didn't score many in the World Cup and that was their

downfall really. We harped on about 15 against 13 against Australia.

They should have scored. Now I think I interviewed Rob Howley a couple of

weeks ago and they want to express themselves and play in wider

channels, maybe that's the reasons they picked Anscombe to get the ball

out to wider channels. It will be interesting to see how they go and

there's boys back from injury which missed the World Cup. They have the

potential there but they've got to try and unlock it. OK, thank you

very much. Jonathan is with our team in Paris.

France and Italy to kick off this year's RBS Six Nations. England and

Wales now. Let's move on to Scotland. Actually when you look

Wales now. Let's move on to between 2011 and 15 they won three

out of 20 matches in the Six Nations. But they won just as many

games in the World Cup last autumn and that really is

games in the World Cup last autumn optimism, not least for their

captain. We need to take positives away from

the tournament and the game, I thought we played fantastically well

and if we concentrated more at times in the game I think we would have

won the game. The final whistle goes. Joubert runs off the pitch.

That's the worst thing I have seen on a rugby field for a long time. He

is not prepared to face up to the players. That's not rugby. It was

all surreal. It happened so quickly. We put so much effort into the game

and to lose like that was heart-breaking for everyone

concerned, from a Scottish perspective, we are always looking

at improving. I feel we done that in the tournament and we have to do

that in an extremely tough Six Nations. How do you turn that raw

emotion into something positive going forward? We have to understand

why we have a good performance like that and take some of the emotion

away from playing in the game and simply focus on skills set and

concentration has been a big thing for us and that's what we are

thinking about in training, sometimes we feel as though we lack

concentration for the full 80 minutes. Out there in the middle

nobody can relax for any amount of time at all.

Scotland have had poor starts to the Six Nations championships, I think

they've won one match in 16 years since it started. Why do you think

that is? It's clearly not a good start in the tournament, it's based

on momentum. You need to start well. There lies the secret of probably

why we haven't done well in the tournament. Been caught cold in the

preparation in the week leading up to it, it's short and in the past we

have maybe just been undercooked and unsure and how we like to play. That

is our message to the coaches this time around, let's concentrate on

all the things we feel as players we need to concentrate on. I think we

have a good balance this time around. The proof will be in the

pudding. 12 years ago was the last time that Scotland actually scored a

try against England. At Murrayfield. When you hear a stat like that how

does it make you feel? It's an incredible stat, never knew that.

That's baffling really. We need to - it's incredible. Cheer we want to

change that this weekend and will be everything in our powers to do that.

The shape we play with allows us to express ourselves and get dangerous

players with hands on the ball and if we do that, we should be able to

score some tries. Scotland hasn't beaten England for eight years. How

big a gap do you think it All I can say is once we get out

there we will give everything for each other and for the shirt and

hopefully come away with the right result.

All those statistics don't make good reading, do they? They've guaranteed

is we are definitely losing this game! To remind the captain that all

these stats, you have never beaten them. We are in trouble now. It

doesn't make pleasant reading for listening for any Scottish fan.

That's been symptomatic of Scotland's performance. You lose the

first game and you are going into the second without confidence,

probably doubting selection. Momentum is the word you hear all

the time but it's so true. Scotland have only once had that first

victory. What is the optimism that is palpable when you talk to people

over the last 24 hours in Edinburgh, what is that based on? I think it's

based on a squad now, it is a squad, it's not a first 15, there is

strength and depth there, it's a squad, Glasgow won the Pro 12 last

year. A lot of these players know they're at least a match for the

likes of Irish players and Welsh players. A lot are playing in

England now and France. They know that they're a match for this level.

So, it's a settled side now. These guys have been together for a while.

Vern Cotter has had them now for a period of time. You can really see

they're beginning to jel. I thought the World Cup they were a tight

group together. My optimism would be based, if I was Scottish, on the

tight-head for Scotland. The scrum has never been particularly strong

and in Laidlaw you have the best kicker in the wo world. If they get

territory they'll kick penalties and get the score board ticking over.

OK. On to Ireland then. They start tomorrow against Wales. Looking for

a third consecutive championship. In many ways you could say their team

is in tatters. It's a good job their coach Joe Schmidt is nothing, if not

a realist. Joe, you are potentially on the

verge of something very special, it will be three in a row if you win,

does that add extra pressure? Not really, as you said potentially. We

have to start over and try to win the trophy back by working our way

through one game at a time and the problem is the trophy can be gone

after one game. You are playing at home first up against such a good

side that we can be scrambling to get some sort of decent placement

after round one. One of the accusations post-World

Cup has been levelled at all the northern hemisphere sides is that we

are not attack-minded enough. Again, there is a degree of frustration in

that. Per match we kicked exactly the same number of times as the All

Blacks. We made more passes than any other team per match in the World

Cup. Last time we played Wales we kicked 11 times in general play.

Wales kicked 22 times. Does that sound like we are not playing the

game? At the same time, we live and die by our results and the results

said that the four southern hemisphere teams were superior. I

don't think there is a massive difference in the way the game is

played. The captain scores within four minutes. You have already had

to cope with the departure of Brian O'Driscoll and now the other titan

of Irish rugby, Paul O Connell is gone. You don't fill Paul's shoes

with one man. Rory Best comes in as captain and he was already a leader

within the group. I don't think that he is going to change too much about

what he does. He is going to lead from the front. There's a number of

other guys who will have to step up because one of the things about

Paul's leadershipedship was multi-facetted, it was his attention

to detail and preparation and the way he carried himself off the

pitch. To make sure that we are ticking all those boxes and

replacing him is going to be a task that's going to be shared amongst a

group of players, I think. Plenty of leaders left in that squad

but you are also missing the likes of Bop Henderson and O Mahoney. I

don't think you can be superconfident. The competition is

so tight. We won with a points differentential of ten and five,

even that appears to be going on the wrong trajectory, from that

perspective we are never confident about anything other than trying to

get the best preparation we can and then trying to dove-tail that into a

really good performance. Let's go back to Paris and talk to

Keith Wood about what the next few weeks might hold in store for the

Irish S this a turning point do you think for the international team? I

think it's a huge turning point. A lot of the big guys are gone, Brian

O'Driscoll, Paul, definitely gone. There is injuries. There is more

pressure on the coach. The provinces aren't doing well. You wouldn't

believe how low the rugby fraternity is at the moment. They're upset and

a little bit worried about the whole idea of how Ireland are going to do

in in this Six Nations. Can you offer any positives in terms of new

names people can look for and say is the next generation? Well, I think

there is a next generation. We saw glimpses during the World Cup of

Robbie Henshaw, Ian Henderson unfortunately is injured. Gary

hasn't made the squad, which is disturbing but I think that Joe

Schmidt has gone back to try to do something very simple and do it

very, very well for the opening game against Wales. The weather fraction

tomorrow is supposed to be terrible. -- weather forecast. They want to

get through the game and get a momentum going, that's all they're

looking for. Thank you. Great scarf, by the way!

Moving on from that. Joe Schmidt, we keep all the

interviews we hear with all the coaches and it strikes you there is

not a single home nations coach in the entire championship for the

first time ever, does that that matter? We have every nation has to

go for the best. There were seven kiwi coaches I think coaching sides

in the rugby World Cup recently. We have got three in the home unions

and in the competition. Look, they're doing a good job. As long as

they're doing a good job they will remain. If you have one wish for

this championship over the course of the next seven weeks, because this

is the shop window for Rugby Union effectively, every year for the next

four years this will be the most watched event in the world and

domesticicly, what do you hope we will

domesticicly, what do you hope we is a Stuart Lancaster side. Why are

we still not playing the seven? We just switched a few around. We need

to get to where Scotland are consistency in the squad,

consistency in the selection which we didn't have through the World Cup

which really backfired on us. Hopefully we can come away from

which really backfired on us. and France, I would like

which really backfired on us. France go out there and show world

which really backfired on us. rugby what they can still do and

hopefully they can. The World Cup was a massive wake-up call for the

northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere dominated. What impressed

me, Argentina have completely changed their mindset and the way

they play in the last three or four years. I would love to see the start

of that happening with the northern hemisphere teams. Italy, Scotland

are trying that. All the taements, Ireland, Wales and England, as well,

really trying to play the great rugby we saw on the last weekend

last year. Last season we were spoiled with a tremendous game. The

last weekend was phenomenal. If that can be the benchmark that we will

watch I will be very pleased. That last weekend, 221 points, 26 tries,

it was one crazy but unforgettable day.

Settle down, buckle up, calculators at the ready. What a day we have in

prospect for you. George North for the line! Wales are flying here:

George North second-half hat trick. England and Ireland are possibly

watching this in despair. Perfect start for Ireland. The chase is on.

The points continue to tick up. Ireland now in pole position. This

title may be theirs. The final match England must win by 26 points. What

a start! France have scored. England are rocking at the moment. It's an

extraordinary game and an extraordinary day. One converted try

and England are the Six Nations champions. Enough is enough. That's

it. The title is going to Ireland. Welcome to Paris and two nations who

had, frankly, miserable World Cups, Italy didn't make it out of the

group stages and France probably wish they hadn't. A drubbing at the

hands of New Zealand. But there is a new French coach and captain and

four players making their debut today. Four new players in the lit

team, as well. Although there is at least one familiar face -- Italy

team. A return from injury with their captain. As you would expect

security here is high. This is the first match here since the terrorist

attacks of November. The first coming together in French sport

since November. What impact that will have on the atmosphere here

today, we will find out very soon. It is the first match of the 2016

RBS Six Nations and we have a panel to watch. Keith Wood, and a man

enjoying his own French love affair. It's a warm welcome to Matt.

Normally we are shivering here but it's about 14 degroos, you have

brought the spring with you here today. I am used to the nice weather

here in France. In Toulon it's beautiful. You are going to see a

great game of rugby. It's great conditions. You played three of the

Six Nations sides in the World Cup for Australia. You saw those sides

up close. Who impressed you most? Scotland were the big improvers,

well coached and well drilled and they have a good sense of how they

want to play. We have just about forgiven you for that Scotland game,

by the way. How will they close the gap, the Northern Hemisphere sides?

It was so disappointing in a home World Cup, the Northern Hemisphere

sides should have been more acclimatised and not making it into

the semifinals, where must they step up in the next four years? The World

Cup is such fine margins, if you look at the games we won they were

close games and there is not a huge difference, or a huge amount they

need to make up. I just think the fine margins, working for each other

and being more committed to the cause as a team that will take them

a long way. Commitment and working to the cause, things that France

need to get their heads around. Are you pretty much at rock bottom?

Terrible World Cup, Six Nations you've not been in the top three for

the last four seasons, is this as bad as it will get. It was

difference in the quarterfinal against New Zealand for France will

stop it is hard to get worse. We have new staff and players and we

had a lack of leadership in the World Cup and now we are going to

start with fresh new players. We need to forget the past and think

about the future and winning the Six Nations would be a good start for

Guy Noves and his staff. We will hear from Guy Noves and what he

brings shortly. 62 years old yesterday and maybe his time as

national coach should have been a couple of cycles ago. Is he the

right person? He's one of the most charismatic guys I have met in my

life, a guy of few words. Just by watching him you know he understands

what he must do and he's been so successful with Toulouse but

managing a national team is different from managing a team you

know every day because you don't have the players all the time. It

will be different. Will he find the right attitude to do it? We will

see. That is pertinent because Italy's next coach might experience

that as well if the rumours are to be believed, it will be Conor O'Shea

who will take over Italy at the end of the Six Nations. A potentially

interesting appointment, compared in football terms to Pep Guardiola to

Man City, it is all but done. All but done apparently, and we know it

is a rumour. There does seem to be some basis behind it. Conor O'Shea

has plotted his way through his whole rugby career, as a player when

he stepped away from saying he went straight into Administration with

the England RFU, a huge amount of steps on the ladder and then he goes

for director of rugby and has done incredibly well, he knew there were

good new players coming through in the Harlequins Academy and the same

is apparently true in Italy. He picks his jobs well so if it turns

out to be true he knows something good is ahead for Italy. I just hope

he will get the same wages as Guardiola!

LAUGHTER Yeah, maybe the weekly wage of

Guardiola over the whole duration of his contract! We will see. Conor

O'Shea is not in charge of Italy today, it is Jacques Brunel, we will

talk more about Italy and Eddie Jones in a moment. You know him

well, he plucked you out of club rugby and made you the international

star that you became so you know all about his style. First we can get

the thoughts of Jonathan Davies who is on the touchline with Lee

McKenzie. We have two sides desperate to right

the wrongs after a poor World Cup, a new chapter for French rugby, what

do you make of this side? It is exciting and Guy Noves has set about

getting the basics right going forward and going wide, but he has

left out Bastareaud, which shows what he wants to do. It is an

exciting backline. It is a very optimistic atmosphere. They have a

DJ going, the place is rocking, and if they start well and confidence

comes back quickly it could be a long afternoon for the Italians.

I know you are obviously a proud Welshman, but how important is it to

have a strong, flamboyant France back in the Six Nations? May be the

type of France that gave you a couple of sleepless nights when you

played in Paris. There is a name on the team sheet, Bonneval, and his

father played against us and the first thing we did in the morning

playing in Paris was opening the curtains and hoping it would rain.

It is a lovely day for them to play. They played a fantastic brand of

rugby and we need to see that back, a strong France and a strong

Scotland. If everyone is strong it is a strong and vibrant competition.

Even the Italians need to up their game a little bit. I think this year

is going to be exciting with hopefully a very strong France.

Thanks, Jonathan. It will all come from the top, from

Guy Noves, 62 years old yesterday, and what a CV he possesses in

domestic French rugby, winning big French title ten times and the

Heineken Cup four times, compared to the Sir Alex Ferguson of club rugby

and he must bring that domestic success to the international stage.

Where is French rugby, which French team will turn up? They are

gloriously unpredictable. We've been saying that since time immemorial.

He's picked a new squad, they have got to gel and it doesn't happen

overnight. If he can summon up that invincible

air he created at Toulouse France will become a difficult proposition.

Guy Noves, coaching Toulouse. A trophy laden CV at domestic level,

but this international stage is trophy laden CV at domestic level,

have said, there is slight in difference in the French press to

his appointment, that maybe his time was a while ago, he is not a fan of

the laptop or technology. Yes, but he picked a squad to help him and he

kept Yannick Carew who was in the squad previously but he moved from a

coach to be a manager and he's 30 rings epic back into the French team

and the French players respect him, they call him Monsieur which is

important. It will change the attitude of the players. There is an

awful lot to do with the culture and philosophy. If he's going to go in

and show them how to parse and break a tackle, that is the coach's job.

His job is to try and get them back and play like the French teams of

old. -- pass. When we came in here today there is a bit of sun in the

air, it is lovely and fresh and these are the days that would

frighten the life out of you 20 years ago but for the last five

years they haven't and you know that if you can ride through the heavy,

hard work you can get a result in the end. Italy will be terrified

today. It is a perennial problem over the last few years, no top

three finish in the last four seasons, so why the step up from the

brilliant club rugby that we see at both European and domestic level

doesn't translate Wisma it does not translate but we have many

foreigners in our championship. And Matt is one of the most gifted and

one of the best signings in French rugby, but we don't manage to bring

young players in. But there are no limits in the Guy Noves tells to the

players but he'll was plays with strong backs and I Kantele the

French back will one of the strongest. The flip side is those

young players should be yearning from the likes of you and

determination and hard work and spirit on the pitch into it domestic

rugby. That is generally how it should work but that has been lost a

little bit. From experience, the guys are not picked they will not

train as hard. It is a case of changing the mindset, that's the

challenge for the coach. He must get the guys can not teach them how to

play because they are great players, but to buy into a message or a

culture, or a way of how they want to play. If he gets them committing

to that you will see a good team today. He has four new caps in the

starting line-up, second row Jedrasiak is one of those, new caps

and new blood, Jedrasiak is one of those, new caps

and new blood, people you can influence and create and mould and

in the backs he has three of those, Bakare tower on the wing and Danty

and Beziers at scrum-half. Bakare tower is a risky choice for some

people because he has not played for a couple of years and he doesn't

have a club. He's a specialist. It was the game to make him play and

he's played rugby sevens. Even if he doesn't have the habit is to play in

rugby 15, his positioning and high balls, will he be good? But when he

gets the ball he's going to be devastating. A lot of French teams

in times past have taken a risk and they want some flamboyance and spark

and they want magic and get the crowd standing on their feet and say

can we want to follow this team but they haven't done that for the last

three years, it has been bish and Bosch, this is the culture change.

If you are the hooker at Toulon, not captain down there, he's the man Guy

Noves has chosen to lead the team, Guirado, was that a surprise to you?

Surprising he has not Guirado, was that a surprise to you?

club level. He's the type of player that leads by example and he will do

the hard work. He will not be the big speaker and front man that likes

to take photos and be everywhere on Twitter, that he is the type of

captain that will really lead from the front. Not too many hawkers have

been hugely successful as captain is on the international stage. Dylan

Hartley has to try and see if he can. Get back in your box, Gary! The

front row is it great place to captain from because you are in the

middle of the aggression and tackling and emotion and aggression

but you have to rely on other players. There are lots of changes

in the French team, who are the guys that will stand up and be the

leaders to stand behind their captain and help the captain out?

When he is stuck in the scrum he needs the nine and ten. They are

very experienced, the nine and ten. Will the leaders emerge today? We

will see. Let's see what Italy have against them. They had a poor World

Cup with the opening loss to France and Ireland at the Olympic Stadium

meaning they didn't make it out of the group. Lee McKenzie has been

speaking to the former Italy second row. Carlo, there has been a raft of

changes from the team we saw at the Rapi World Cup to the one we have

today, some promoted to the national side and a lot through injury. How

strong is this Italian team? I love the fact the youngsters have been

given a chance. To have the opportunity to make your first test

debut on the starting line-up as opposed to coming off the bench

makes a massive difference to your mental state pre-match. Tell us

about the front row, vastly inexperienced, brave decision to do

it here in France but you have to do it sometime. You haven't read the

voter and they have a massive task today because lots of Italy's play

is based on solidity upfront. Ornel Gega must be protected by Andrea

Lovotti. They have experience on the bench. If things go drastically

wrong out there. You have the likes of Castrogiovanni you can call upon

in the latter stages of the game to give you that experience and go

forward again. He has a plan B in selecting youngsters to have a go

from the beginning. I think that is wise because he knows he can call on

his bench. We know that Italy have never won in Paris against France.

What must they do if they are going to change that record? It is crucial

they stick to the things they know and they do really well, good first

phase ball from the scrum, good, solid, tight cohesive mauls and the

go forward from the front and that should open the space is wide and

give the backs more opportunities. I hope it goes well for you Carlos,

thank you. It's interesting for Italy, the

stats show how is Twitter? Is it all right? The stats show that in the

last Six Nations in the as to 20 minutes they conceded nine tries,

they have often been in the game with a quarter to go, what is it?

Finish it not be a problem at that level. In many cases it has been the

strength and depth of the bench. In the last 20 minutes the other teams

up the level for the last 15 mess and occasionally drop their level.

It used to be disciplined that let them down. They have their

discipline under order but today it is unbelievably hard for them in the

front five and they are going to get absolutely drilled. I'm laughing

because we always talk about Guy Noves and Flash player and the

beautiful astounding rugby his teams have always played, but it is always

built on the pack burying the opposition, it has got to be really

tough for these young guys. With Guy Noves because of the front five we

had these guys who made the difference. He knows that even if

you have to be flashy and creative that starts from the forwards. The

experience today is in the French back. It is and in Italy there are

certainly four new caps, they have ten players who were not in the

squad for the World Cup. Paolo -- Carlo Canna, this is a huge step up

for him. Yes it is, there are going to test him, and for the record that

was Snapchat. Other social media is available! You want to start and be

grown into the big games, especially an away game, against the crowd, it

is a good test for him and he will know where he is at after this game.

It is a gamble but you can't get experience like this without being

on this stage. It is difficult in Italian domestic rugby, isn't it?

You have to make the change at some stage. He has had great servants and

the front row and the back line for Italy but they are gone, they are

35, 36 years of age and you have to take the risk. Unfortunately spring

in Paris is daunting, especially if we get this sense of occasion. We've

covered a lot of games in the last few years here and there is a buzz

we haven't heard for a while. The PA has about 45 levels! Body -- Odiete

is playing at full-back and he's been setting the level that he plays

at a light. That is another huge step up. If you look at Guy Noves,

you will think he will send him high balls all day long. When he has the

likes of Danty coming at him, he might struggle. He needs to be

protected by the back rows. As I said the French team, there is lots

of hunger after the World Cup and we have to show the world we are a much

better team than we were. We had four years of bad rugby and didn't

play well and we were humiliated by some of the teams so now it is time

to show we are much better than that. We are moments away from

kick-off at the Stade de France of the first match of the 2016 RBS Six

Nations. The teams are in the tunnel. France want to show the

world that they have rugby in them, they can play the kind of run be

that used to light up the international stage a few years ago.

Italy, though, are going to take their time and played some kind of

psychological game. Waiting a few moments more, what is going on

inside the changing room? They might want to show them nervous on the way

out. Is those last stages before entering the field of play, the

cauldron, the atmosphere out here is fairly spectacular at the moment.

What is going on in there and how are the butterflies? It is very hard

to hear anything with this loudspeaker here. What they are

trying to do is get the message, whether kicking off or receiving you

want to get your message of as a playmaker how you want to start the

game and get clarity to go out at 100% because in your mind you are

clear exactly how you will start the game. Just going back onto the

atmosphere, yes, the Tannoy is loud and there is a lot of noise but

there is a spark in the air that we have not seen here for a while.

There is a level of expectation that may be some of what made France

great before the mother little charisma to have an attack from

anywhere, maybe it's back, and that is the expectation. We want to

believe something has changed. This crowd will let the team know if it

is going the right way very quickly and if they are not impressed by

what they have seen. The first ten minutes, it will not be this easy.

We have suffered as a country. The World Cup has been terrible for the

French team. It is a good day to recover all of the enjoyment for the

French crowd behind the French rugby team. The French crowd, 60,000 here,

normally a capacity of 80,000, not a ticket was sold after the terrorist

attacks in November. The crowd who have made it today are determined to

make it count. There is a passion and a spark in the air

make it count. There is a passion expectation that France are

make it count. There is a passion turn things around from their woeful

World Cup, their drubbing at the hands of New Zealand.

Moments away will no doubt be staring

Moments away France have to believe

Moments away this trophy this season. You'll this

was the team I watched as a child, this is why I wanted to play rugby,

Aggers of the flowing ability, skills, scoring from the other end

of the Earth if you had to and you can feel there is a hint of that

coming back. I think the Six Nations need a French team that excites and

doesn't just bludgeon. There is only one too long player in it, pushing

away from what the club game is doing and just trying to go back to

the spirit of what French rugby is all about. I can see and hear the

positivity coming from you, you believe this is a turning point. I

know that Guy believe this is a turning point. I

mentality of the French team. I played under his management and I

know he is on who has a big heart. Even when he was a coach he didn't

really help the French team but he provided many players. We will

shortly hear the anthems and after that your commentary team, Eddie

Butler, Jonathan Davies and Carlo Del Fava.

# Italy has woken, Bound Scipio's helmet

# Let her bow down, # For God created her

# The roar of those ferocious soldiers?

# They're coming right into your arms

# To cut the throats of your sons, your women!

85 days have passed since the atrocity in Paris.

Two newcomers in the Italian front row, Andrea Lovotti and gay girl,

born in Albania. The hooker. -- Gega. Campagnaro plays rugby for

Exeter. Jenny Hill very promising hooker playing for

France. What do you think, Jonathan? I have a lot of respect for Guy

Noves and what he achieved at Toulouse. If he can replicate that I

think it will be a very successful France at international level. Here

is the referee. Hopefully we will not watch much of him today and it

would be a great game. But it is amazing. He wants to play very

attractively. There will be less structure under Guy Noves. Here we

go, the start of the 2016 Six Nations. France hoping, promising to

play with a new spirit. The new scrum-half, Sebastien Bezy, of

Toulouse, Guy Noves, the former Toulouse coach. Sergio Parisse, the

great Italian number eight. He makes his first catch of the game. It

won't be his last. Leonardo Sarto, the strong right-winger.

Canna wears none the turn for the Italians, here he is. Parisse.

Tackled by Jedrasiak of Clermont Auvergne.

Tackled by Jedrasiak of Clermont Italy coming through, Campagnaro,

Garcia, Sato inside of the ball still alive, no it is not. He has

given a penalty. Very good start, kept the ball in hand, took the ball

to the line, confident start by Carlo Canna. This guy is going to be

in potential. If they can control the tempo of the game. That is in

touch. It will be crucial for France but I think the Italians have got to

start very strongly, try and silence the crowd. George Clancy is one of

the touch judges. This is the run by Campagnaro supported by Garcia. This

kid is very good, Campagnaro. Notice that there was a mismatch. He took

it on. Guirado throws. that there was a mismatch. He took

with the catch. Second penalty for France. That is what they must try

and cut out, the Italian side. Discipline. It was in the France 22

and now it will give France a good attacking position. Good afternoon,

Carlo. Looking at the Italian second row, Biagi. He will play a vital

role in securing Italy's best attacking ball this afternoon. One

thing they have two eradicate is the mistakes and penalties given. Look

at that, straight into the middle of the fight. Biagi will be crucial for

Italy's line-out functioning this afternoon. Guirado to throw,

attacking line-out to afternoon. Guirado to throw,

particularly straight. Jedrasiak with the catch. Mayor Street in the

second row. This is Louis Picamoles, the ball carrying number eight. Very

good play by the Italians. The body angle was all right taking the ball

in. They got under him and held him up. Very good play. Disappointing by

France, just watch, good line-out ball, they hold him up and Parisse

comes in as well and just added his weight. That was a good turnover for

the Italians. Wenceslas Lauret Wareing B head cap at six. There is

Louis Picamoles, Andrea Lovotti. Lorenzo Cittadini of Wasps in the

interest Premiership. -- English Premiership. Carlo, you were talking

about Rabah Slimani coming in at tight head. Because he has such a

short, low centre of gravity tight it puts an enormous amount of

pressure on the hooker and affects his strike. He must protect and make

sure Slimani stays on the outside of the hooker. A quick strike, if the

hooker is still strike these days, and Briceno gets over the gain line.

-- Parisse. That is a good Italian scrum. Goes backwards says the

referee, Parisse goes forwards. Oh! So close for Sarto. Nearly a

piece of pure brilliance. Yeah, but that's the plan.

The left-winger, he doesn't commit to this whatsoever. I think the call

must have come... That's got to be the tactics. He hasn't played 15

aside, they've got to target him. So, so close. But a great start.

Sarto, what a start that would have been.

A chance for Italy to have a crack at this French scrum. Too soon. Off

they go. This is Picasso. He goes in high. Maul says JP Doyle. Good play

by the ie tallens. They've turned it over once again. -- Italians. It's a

by the ie tallens. They've turned it tactic of trying to hold up the

ball. Picasso is massive for France. If he is the

ball. Picasso is massive for France. go forward and changes the game, he

is the one that's going to do it. Italy just clearly have to contain

him and by doing that creating that maul and ruck. That's a great tackle

by Minto. Again it's the discipline, from the scrum they've had a

nudge-on and the free kick was given to France.

Another good Italian scrum. Sarto. Garcia on his shoulder.

Canna has to sort out a bit going backwards.

The Italian backs are taking the game to the French. .

Stuck on 22. Here comes the drop goal attempt. He likes it!

That's beautifully struck by Carlo Canna and Italy take the lead.

That's a positive start by the Italians, they've carried the ball

exceptionally well. This is the tackle... Steps back in the pocket.

Slots it over. That's a very confident start for the young

standoff. Brilliant choice to go for the drop goal. Italy's play

distribution was scattered all over the field. That's very well-taken by

Fuser. It's a clever way of getting out of

the 22, receiving the kick-off, inside the 22 but opening up that

angle. It's a poor restart by France.

Vakatawa, the winger. Penalty to France. Offside.

The Italians will be happy with that. They should take the line and

clear their lines. Quite surprised they went for the quick tap there.

Maybe a kick with a touch line in field position. A bit of stoppage.

Is it the hooker? Yeah. Got to stop. He is throwing the ball in the

lineout. I think it's He is throwing the ball in the

sorry it's the centre. It's Garcia. They look very confident, the

Italian centre partnership. Guy Noves with the glasses and the suit.

The hooker prepares to throw. JP Doyle... Don't jump out.

Well taken Italy. Happy with ball in hand in their own

22. The Italian halfbacks have made a start. It's structured on how to

get from their 22. A short lineout. A brilliant take there. Play out to

the loose forward standing off. It's a clear kick to clear the lines.

Very methodical, very structured. Gori is a talented scrum-half.

That's a wild lineout. When nobody can get into the air you know

something's going on. Yeah. This will be an interesting decision, do

they go for the corner or goal? The scrum-half is also the appointed

kicker. Its me that France are the only

nation where the scrum-half dictates the game for them. It's interesting.

It amazing me they haven't got a standoff that can control the game.

So many good footballers in France and they haven't a standoff to

control for manage the international game. They're looking for one. Bezy

to level the scores. He's pshed it. Italy after 12

minutes remain in the lead. -- pushed it.

I think Zanni has gone off. That's a lot of experience goes with him.

95th cap. There he is. A bit of blood. He should be back. Yeah.

Good feet by the French fullback. Danty.

That brings the crowd to life. Danty in the centre. A chance for

Lauret. Up to the 22. Vakatawa has opened France's

account. That's a classy finish. He made that look very, very easy. They

worked the numbers on the left side. I thought they had blown the

opportunity. They I thought they had blown the

over. That's a desperate tackle. That's the clever offload. It allows

three on two. That's such a classy finish. Left foot step. Close to the

touch. That's the crucial, that's the money ball. He holds the man up.

Boom. That's a great, great finish. It's the wide, wide play. Players

distributed across the field. They wanted to bring back an expansive

style of play back to France and I think you see a bit of flair there.

Yeah, the forwards really offloaded well. That's young Bezy. His second

kick. He's pulled this one.

kick. two. But France are in the lead.

5-3. Again it's the offloading. The ball-carrying of the forward. The

support of Picasso. He stayed down. ball-carrying of the forward. The

That's the two on one. Like to see that angle again.

Might have to see that again. From that angle... From the first angle

it looked OK. From that angle... That's a great catch by Maestri. The

forward on for France is Yacouba Camara, a real talent, has quick

feet. JP Doyle has come over to the far side. Just confirmation there

that far side. Just confirmation there

coming back on. The applause is because Louis Picasso' day is over.

-- Picamoles. Their principal ball carrier is very different. Picamoles

is very heavy on his feet. Camara is light.

Andrea Lovotti penalised by the referee. That's a shame. Every time

they've come into the 22 they've given a penalty or free kick away.

That's a great kick. From one 22 to the other. It's the bind. Lovotti's

bind needs to be longer on the loose-head side and gives that extra

bind needs to be longer on the stability that JP Doyle is looking

for. Penalties will come in the first 20 minutes of a game

especially if the referee is looking to set out his stall early on. This

is the angle of the try. Question marks over the foot. This is it.

It's close. Here come France again. Fabulous pass by Vakatawa. They do

find touch in that corner this time. That's great defence. Vakatawa just

oozes confidence. They're going wide. The centres there get caught

up. If that ball was sprayed along. He steps inside. Looks for the

offload. Medard is there. They rushed up and took the dummy run.

The pass was very good. He's hit him on the back of the

hands. He had his hands thumped as he went for the catch. I think the

Italians will be happy. Carlo with the start. That's a poor kick. They

won't be happy with that. Slow, slow, and then finds Fickou. France

are on the move again. The oldest player in the French team

is just 30. Back to Bezy. Brilliant play. Italy, there is a

chance here. Danty is back.

Bellini was up. Counter-rucking by the Italians. It

should come back on their side. It does.

I think they'll have to go wide then. They had a few men over on the

right side. Great tackle. Offside. That was an opportunity. As soon

right side. Great tackle. Offside. they counter-rucked and won that

ball, they had to go wide. They had numbers on the right. Vakatawa was

on his own. A missed opportunity. Well, they've gone from one end of

the field to the other. Here is a worrying sight, Carlo. Garcia in a

bit of bother. It's two players with experience on the pitch. They need

to keep them on. They'll be pleased to see Zanni back. I am impressed

with the ball carrying of the French front five. Even if they're not

carrying it, they're coming in as dummy runners and offload is

important, as wellment. The offloads now are creating numbers on the

outside. Parisse is the top 14 of the year.

Following us Scotland and England, the Calcutta Cup match. And room

Ireland and Wales. A Six Nations rugby special after all the weekend

matches on BBC Two, 7.00pm tomorrow evening.

Chouly at the lineout. Here is the pass. It's off his own player.

Kelly Haimona is going to come on for Italy. Looks as if Garcia will

leave the pitch. REFEREE: Bind. Set. He's gone down again. He was lucky

not to get penalised. Just get the ball in and get it out. If you are

under pressure, get the ball to the number eight's feet as quickly as

you can. The front row forwards play their own game, Jonathan. I know

that. Why put themselves under pressure? Why would you want to be

in that position? That's an awkward position to be in. We all know

they're a breed of their own. All the action is happening on that side

which needs to be sorted out or JP Doyle might take matters into his

own hands. Parisse picks up and we are under way. Garcia. He looks all

right now! He has recovered well. A chance for Sarto to close down.

Italy on the move. Garcia gets on the outside of Danty.

That's good defence there again by Vakatawa. He drifted across. Should

have kept it in hand. Italy are taking this time about this lineout.

I suspect it will be a catch and maul.

First things first, the throw. maul.

That's very well done. Hooks the ball to the front. On comes the

drive. ball to the front. On comes the

penalty. Advantage. Oh, clever! Sarto. He is beaten

line. That's a very clever play. They had

the free play because of the penalty. They tried to use it very,

very effectively, as well. Lovely kick. Good communication. Winger on

the outside shoulder. You have to feel... That's twice now he has lost

the ball. In the act of try-scoring. What do they do here? It's the

lineout they've gone for. Canna looks thoroughly at home on

the international stage. He does. Slightly longer with the throw to

Parisse. France have men on the floor. This could be set up for a

very sweet drive for the line. Italy power their way over. Try for Italy.

Sergio Parisse. The one and only. He is the scorer. That had real menace

from the moment he caught the lineout. That was a well constructed

maul. They lineout. That was a well constructed

well. Sergio wins the ball in the lineout. The first three players

take the pressure initially from France and then shift the point of

contact to the outside. The ball is at the back. It's under control and

it's moving forward. Clear decision there for JP Doyle to make. That's a

very, very well constructed try. I am surprised four or five of the

French forwards fell to the left side. They did. There were a lot of

French shirts on the floor even before the maul got going. Before

the second drive, whether they misread it, it was an easy finish

for Parisse. Seems to be they were in two minds. Some were driving the

maul back. It needs to be all circling or all driving.

Vakatawa is preparing to charge conversion. Carlo

Vakatawa is preparing to charge off. He still misses. I read the

stats, I think he has a 70% success rate. That isn't good enough

international level. They're doing so

well, the backs are running with confidence. Those are the kicks you

have to nail. You have to put those kicks over. This will land in the

22. Caught by Parisse. He can still kick directly into touch. It's

exactly what Gori does. But keeps it on the field of play. Taken by

Great tackle. That tackle. The offload is there.

Penalty against Italy. Let me see that again. One thing Italy are

doing really well is that again. One thing Italy are

committing that many numbers to the breakdown. You have a tackler and

you have the one going in to disrupt the ball. The rest of the players

are fanned out across the field which is helping them absorb this

wide play that France are trying to do. Is that it? I think that's it.

Nothing wrong with that. This is the one maybe.

Nothing high there, is there? No. Out it comes for Bezy. Garcia up

with the tackle. Italy hold Fickou up. The ball is to the ground. The

line speed is good, as well. Vakatawa piles in. Penalty. He was

isolated. Vakatawa went in there. Don't think the cleaning out

technique was very good. This is where the French, the scrum-half has

to take control here. They're not committing men to the tackle. Not

committing men to the ruck. You have to pass them and take it up the

middle and suck defenders in. You have to earn the right to go wide

first of all and they're not doing that at the moment, France. It's

brilliant defence and clever work. This is the turnover again.

Isolated. Easy turnover. Looking at Vakatawa, he doesn't look a natural

rucker. He has come from the sevens circuit, I know. Gori nudges the

ball forward. It was a scrappy lineout for Italy.

He will be a happy captain so far. He will be. Half an hour gone. Italy

ahead by three points. That's the halfway mark. France have appeared,

in flashes, but they've also been under the kosh.

The Italians have attacked twice and come away with points.

The Italians have attacked twice and nudge at the scrum. Bezy escapes.

Wriggles out of the tackle by Parisse.

They've made something out of an unpromising start.

Vakatawa. Strength there by the winger.

Garcia has done well. He has recovered well. He stayed on.

Maestri makes half a yard. Vakatawa into the Italian 22. Oops! Was it a

knock-on? It was. Taken quickly by Fickou. Medard. Lauret.

The try is scored. Chouly in the corner. There is the tap. He sees

the overlap. Second row and winger to defend. That's an easy finish for

Chouly. Damien Chouly. There is the outrage

of Sergio Parisse. Not exactly a soft try, Carlo.

It is the advantage of playing a wired player. When they come across

you have those players at York disposition to keep recycling the

ball. Those who stayed wide from the previous rock are not playing the

same movement, they are dropping directly back allowing them to play

wide. The kick from Desi. He's missed two. They have not been easy

but you expect these days. He has pulled it again. -- Bezy. France are

in the lead 10-8. France are holding their width very well, but the one

thing they were not doing before that try was they were not engaging

the defensive line when they had overlaps. It is easy for the Italian

defence to just drift. That is well taken again by Maestri. Camara.

Plisson. Danty. Three passes and they are across the pitch, Gael

Fickou gets out of the 22. Now they are back in it. Lease on. --

Plisson. The chance for Odiete to counter. We have not really seen

much of him, Odiete. We thought they would put pressure on him because he

has only played at regional level. Alessandro Zanni. Not Parisse's best

pass but it worked for Campagnaro. It is a knock-on by Bernini. France

might make something of it. Gori It is a knock-on by Bernini. France

makes the tackle, lovely to pass off the ground. Medard.

makes the tackle, lovely to pass off Maestri picks up. Plisson, Medard,

just got a little bit ahead of themselves on the touchline. They

are giving it a go from everywhere, the French. And the Italians. They

are doing everything well and tactically playing above the game as

far as Italy are concerned, they are playing to their strengths, kicking

when they need to kick and having a go when they need to. There was a

clear line break down the middle of the pitch. The Italian backline,

Campagnaro, has had a couple of nice breaks. If the ball had gone to hand

they could have scored some tries. How important is that conversion? It

could have been 10-10 and now they are behind. Yes. Yoann Maestri.

Parisse wins the line-out and the forwards form a tight group around

him immediately. See if they can get the driving maul going. Penalty

advantage. I think that is what they were looking for. Sergio let it go.

Parisse and Maestri. He knows what he's doing. He does.

Just frustrating the French side. Frustrating the French spectators.

Just a matter of time before they turn. It doesn't take much. There

was hope and real support at the beginning for new France. It is

quite quiet now. It has gone quiet. Carlo Canna, this to give Italy the

lead again. They remain two points behind.

Again, at this level you expect to see those go over. He will be happy

with the way they are playing but he will have to turn those into points.

It's a rare in the modern game to have five kicks and no successes.

The standard of kicking in the modern game is outstanding and to

see those missed, I modern game is outstanding and to

is in shock. Leonardo Sarto sets off, he's had a busy first half,

is in shock. Leonardo Sarto sets Italian. That

is in shock. Leonardo Sarto sets and France have turned it over. But

they have gone offside. So there will be time for the kick into the

corner. And they will have a line-out and a maul and a drive.

Let's see what he goes for, does he go for everything? No, difficult

angle and it's not a bad kick. Sato takes the ball in. That hasn't been

a very good battle. I'm not sure what the decision was for. Parisse.

Good pass to Gori. Here come Italy peeling around. Parisse writes the

challenge of Maestri. Canna dropped goal from this position but they are

coming through by hand. Campagnaro. Put firmly to ground. Biagi. Gori to

Canna, to Parisse. Parisse has been immense this half. We say it all the

time but what they first half performance from Parisse. They need

to be patient, the Italians. Move to the middle of the field or get a

penalty, and have a 3-pointer to go in at half-time in front.

Psychologically that would be great for the Italians, be patient,

control it, go midfield. I think that's what they are planning. Marco

Fuser, the second row, takes it up. Brilliant, off-loaded to Campagnaro

and he will score if he can reach that he can't quite find the line,

and away, France. Back at our. He's away again! Off he comes, the giant

winger. He's had the most entertaining first half. Plisson

tries to find the touch. We are in overtime,

tries to find the touch. We are in first half comes to an end. France

lead but we've had high excitement at the Stade de France, France 10-8

Italy. Desperate tackle. Watch this off-loaded, lovely off-load again by

the youngster, and that is a desperate tackle by Fickou. Oh! How

close was that? STUDIO: You know there's's France go

in ahead at half-time just. Possession well ahead, two thirds of

the position for France, off-loads ahead quite considerably 14-4 and

metres made, the running game, passing the ball through as many

pairs of hands as they camp that he was looking for, and some of that

was on show in the first half, there was good, bad and ugly. What do you

think he will make of his first taste of international rugby? I'm

surprised by Italy, but what should have been our strength in the front

five, we are disappointed. I think Italy are much drunker than as in

the drives and line-outs, they carry the ball very well. Defensively, 12,

13, we are not organised and have created gaps and the Italians have

taken some metres from our defence. We are struggling in that position.

They looked like there were capitalising in all of the areas

that we highlighted France were going to be weak in in that game.

They did and they had a good breakdown, those five turnovers they

won and France had non-, which is a pretty amazing statistic after 40

minutes of rugby. France are not energetic at scrum time or at the

ruck. That is unusual because we would have thought that is where

they would have the bit of pizzazz and got stuck into it. Their energy

level has been a bit lower. They seem to stand back a little bit for

the first ten or 15 minutes and then they got a buzz with the first try

but it took a bit of time before they got it and they were a bit

nervous. Maybe we are expecting too much and we got caught up in some of

the occasion that was here beforehand, but you do expect a

French team that should be on top, and when they have the ball

comfortably they are on top and they should take advantage of it and they

haven't taken advantage. The debutants for Italy, Canna, at the

heart of a lot of moves and Sato, who has more wrecks periods, didn't

look at all overwhelmed. No, he didn't and that's the fault of the

French team, you've got to put them under pressure. They had much too

easy a start in the first 40 minutes, the debutants, and you've

got to put pressure on them and make them feel uncomfortable. I agree

with Keith, the French team looked nervous and they don't look to be

playing with much confidence yet. They put pressure on Bakare Tower,

Italy. He did get the try but they made him work and they saw where he

would be exposed and make the most of the moments where he was unsure

on the high balls and unsure in defence. Yes but we knew what his

weaknesses would be, the high balls and defensively, he's a bit wide

compared to Fickou, so he doesn't have centres, but when he has the

ball he is a threat and he scored a try so he can make the difference.

We need to move the ball as Carlo said, when we play wide wide we look

interesting, Kante brings something special compared to Bastareaud, and

we managed to move the ball. But we need to do it a bit more. We can

have a look at the first try and Bakare tower, as you say, the best

of him is when you get the ball wide and his feet as well, they were

fantastic. -- Bakare That space becomes live and we have

not seen that from France for a long time. Suddenly they are on the

outside, Italy trying to put up as line and they tried to do it here.

Decent line, lots of players coming up against them, but we just saw one

player sneaking up on the outside and that's what you're looking for

in attacking back. Even there we saw some players were walking. I think

it is a brand-new team. We need to get into position a bit quicker and

show more determination. Even if Picamoles made the difference, we

could maybe have scored a bit earlier and that was a good option,

Vakatawa. Was that a forward Pascua smack I have to say yes. -- was it a

forward pass? The referee gave it but the touch judge was squatting

down on the ground looking at where it was so he could make the call

immediately and they didn't have to go upstairs, which is good. I want

to take one quick point about what Matt said, as a debutante playing in

a big arena like this it is so unbelievably hard, such a huge step

up and that is where the pressure has to camp but there has not been

that pressure, except maybe on the kicking team. Let's have a look at

some of Italy's best work because they opened exceptionally well in

the first few minutes of the game, Sarto on Vakatawa. It is obviously a

game plan, positionally it will be tough coming from a sevens

background and he will get caught out of position but he brings

excitement to the team. As soon as he touches the ball the crowd get

excited. But positionally his getting caught out. This was a Canna

goalkick here. Sorry, the little dinked over. You are certain it is a

try but then the tiny little fumble and he didn't want to kick it, he

wants to run. I like that he's getting involved, it's his first

test but he's trying his hand at things and playing with confidence.

You would love things and playing with confidence.

instead of kicking in front of the posts he takes the option to play.

It's a bit surprising for Italy because they were getting into

position and then he took the ball and score that try. That is a new

spirit for the French team and a new way of playing. Let's have a look at

Parisse's try. He is the class act in this 15. The game is going to be

so much the less when that man picks up -- hangs up his boots. The focus

and concentration has traditionally been Italy's strength. We didn't

really expect it today. We thought the front five might struggle but

that is incredibly good technical play. And the French team tried to

jump and catch the ball but maybe they should have pushed it and then

they struggled. If you push it you have to slow it down or drag

somebody down, it is a technical thing. With a new coach and new

players sometimes these things take time. We will come to the kicking in

a moment which has been poor from both sides but Italy could have

taken a nice jump ahead but for the kicking. The game is really in the

balance. Frans didn't panic. But they didn't seem to have the

urgency, did they? No, and as Matt said for the first 15 minutes we

thought we would be much more aggressive and jump on these guys

but we were waiting and let them build confidence. Even if Canna

didn't score the points with his kicking, but the way he played and

moved the ball was interesting in the first half, so they looked

dangerous all the time. Go on. the first half, so they looked

going to say what has been good for Canna is he has somebody like

Parisse, when he misses the kicks Parisse will come and comfort him

and making feel comfortable. The biggest thing France need to do is

put pressure on him and make him feel as uncomfortable as possible.

put pressure on him and make him because Fickou, we talked about

France using inventiveness and doing something different and you got it

here. You can see the naivete. They brought him into the French team and

they want to take their options. But I think Fickou knows best what he

can do and he's confident with that, that is why he the option. We've

talked a lot this week about that is why he the option. We've

Ireland's lack of competence picking guys who are 20 or 21.

Ireland's lack of competence picking fearlessness of youth, they see

there is a try and you have to go and do it, not what you

there is a try and you have to go these situations, they go by gut

instinct. If you think about French rugby it is almost

It is enjoyable to watch that back again. Picking

It is enjoyable to watch that back the half, to see Fickou do that and

create that the half, to see Fickou do that and

to what he wants to embrace. When they play with speed they look good,

the most dangerous playing off-the-cuff, when they have that

bit of unpredictable easy about them, that is when they looked most

dangerous. His biggest message should be to go out there and play

with no shackles and play with confidence and it will be a

different team. When Italy give the ball to Medard, which was

entertaining in the first half, he can make breaks and some steps. They

don't want to do bad kicks, so they don't have many options and they

need to put more pressure on the No 10 with the back rows. We don't have

this tackling machine that we had in the past, so six and seven need to

put more pressure on Italy. Let's see what Carlo Del Fava thinks with

Lee McKenzie. Carlo, I'm sure if you'd been

offered 10-8 at half-time before the match started you would have taken

it. What has impressed you most about the Italian side?

The way they are managing the game tactically. In attack they are

kicking when they need to kick and being directed when they need to and

taking chances when they come up and in defence they have been controlled

and patient and transitioning between the two quite seamlessly and

it shows the difference between having a coach in playful four years

and a coach who has just come in and has not had a chance to put

structures in. Well done by Italy in the first half but we need more of

the same in the second. It will be interesting to see if they can

maintain that in the second half, thank you, Carlo.

We are half an hour away from the second match of this year's Six

Nations at Murrayfield and new look England take on Scotland, maybe a

new look Eddie Jones is the new man at the helm.

What are England going to look like under Eddie Jones? I want them to be

robust. Good teams are always robust, able to adjust, able to

adapt, find a way of playing good rugby. Sometimes good rugby is

kicking the ball high and chasing hard if circumstances dictate and

other times it's moving the ball into space quickly and having the

courage to take three on two ten yards from your own line and other

times it might be having a driving scrum to keep the ball in and get a

penalty and win the game 9-6. We got to be robust and adaptable and I

want the team every time they play that the fans recognise the players

in the team are doing everything they can to make sure England win.

Your reaction on Twitter was good choice can a smart coach, cause a

spade a spade and I've copped many sprays from him over the years. You

are still in awe and fear of him come almost. What did he bring to

your game? It's almost like if I saw him here I wouldn't know how to

behave, he's that type of coach and he has that presence. For me he made

me think differently about the game, differently about my team-mates and

how I contribute to the team. He brings that selflessness. Whether

England have been selfish in the past, they certainly won't be with

Eddie moving forward. You were consulted on his appointment as

well. I was called from the private number and they asked me to give

very view on Eddie and I said he will be a great coach but you have

to be ready to work. There are times at two or three in the morning and

he will slip something under the door for the secretary and by six or

seven he wants it back. He is a guy that does not sleep Dutch and he

expects that from everyone else, but he's there for the right reasons, he

wouldn't do it just for money. You could have sabotaged English rugby

by giving him a bad review. Do you think he will get more out of these

players than they realise they have? It is essentially the same group of

players, he hasn't injected much new blood. No but what he will bring is

accountability, he will make the players own how they want to play

and from there they have then got to bring back to life. They've got to

play with that aggression. He was saying there that he wants them to

be robust and to be able to change and be versatile. These are the type

of things he will bring to the table. Of course, when you come in

like this and there is expectation, one game is not going to be a

wholesale change for England. They will go there thinking they can get

a result, that he's handled the last week or so wealth in terms of

deflecting pressure away from the players. I think he is very

entertaining and good craic in the press conferences and arrogant too.

I think that suits England, it's not in a bad way. I do think this kind

of deprecating thing they have had for the last four years didn't sit

that well with them. England are used to being champions and used to

winning all the time and they hadn't. They became very nice men

over the last four years, and I don't think he likes any of that. He

said he doesn't care how nice they are or not, he wants them to be

winners. It is a big challenge and it will be good to watch. I'm not

sure you care to much whether England do well not today, Tom

Dascombe but what did you make of the appointment, you are smiling. It

is always good to be a coach when you didn't play any games because

you don't have any results but after two or three games he will feel the

pressure, and his attitude with the press will be a bit different. What

do you think we will see different from the England team in this Six

Nations? What is the immediate thing we will notice? I just think that

the players will be accountable, which means those little 1% things,

if you think it is a bit hard, you will move there because you know

that every part of your game will be dissected by Eddie. He has a system

where everything positive gives you a plus and everything negative gives

you a minus, hitting a ruck or not hitting Iraq. My first test against

England I got -4 so you know if you played poorly. I still have that

record! -- hitting a ruck. You were scared of him! The match has kicked

off, let's go back to our Eddie, Eddie Butler.

COMMENTATOR: France in possession, no changes from either side at

half-time. There has been a change, Camara is on instead of Picamoles

who was injured in the first half. Interception, this time Leonardo

Sarto does hang onto the ball. He was in the clear twice in the first

half. He read that very well, Sarto, spotting the overlap, nearly got the

intercept, and he has a penalty for his side. Here is one of the shining

lights of the first half, Young Carlo Canna. With ball in hand he's

been very, very good. He has varied his kicking. But unfortunately. He

missed off the tee. There we go, two men extra. Carlo Canna is big and

strong, Leonardo Sarto. One of my favourites from the Academy. He's

really promising. There we can see favourites from the Academy. He's

Louis Picamoles not in a good state and missing him is a massive blow

for France. France steel and Italian line-out. Delphic you. It has gone

wrong for France in their own 22. -- steal the Italian line-out. --

Fickou. It just went through the fingertips. Bonneval here. France

tried to play the wide game. Difficult for the winner. We've

hardly mentioned Bonneval so far. Yes. That's the touchline ban which

Vakatawa tiptoed for his try. Here is Edoardo Gori feeding the scrum.

Just looking at the angle of Rabah Slimani. He does turn in. JP Doyle,

penalty Italy. Canna is going for goal.

Imagine now how this young lad is feeling. He hasn't put one over yet.

He's playing well. The pressure will be growing. We mentioned before

Rabah Slimani coming in on the angle towards the hooker. Italy ideally in

that situation would prefer a right-handed up on the scrum to get

the fastball in and keeping the loose forwards as far away from

Carlo Canna as possible. Nun from two, this is to put Italy

in the lead. -- no kicks from two. That will take

the pressure off. Unfortunately Biagi is off. The Italians will be

happy. Biagi takes his leave. Valerio Bernabo is on. He took that

very well. Another good drive by Italy and away comes Parisse. Well

taken by Canna. That's great play Italy and away comes Parisse. Well

again, straight under. And back to Canna and Campagnaro. Odiete. Canna

again. Bellini comes around. There is a chance here, as Parisse comes

close to the 22, Garcia into the French 22. The crowd watches in

silence as Italy ask allsorts of questions. Good tackle by Eddy Ben

Arous, the proper. questions. Good tackle by Eddy Ben

Parisse. -- the prop. Sarto. Gori. He is in. On the blindside,

Parisse for the line, and he's so close.

Parisse for the line, and he's so hasn't made the line. It is a try

for the man of the moment, Carlo Canna scores. Well, well, well.

for the man of the moment, Carlo tell you what,

for the man of the moment, Carlo with ball in hand, Canna.

for the man of the moment, Carlo with Parisse for man of the first

half, that says with Parisse for man of the first

run by Parisse first and then finishes it. The Italians are

totally dominating the first part finishes it. The Italians are

the second half, dictating finishes it. The Italians are

the pace has been played. I thought he was going to make it, but then

the off-load, and that is a very simple try. And under all sorts of

pressure from Amy and Julie who was miles offside. That

pressure from Amy and Julie who was catch as well. That pressure all

came from a clean kick-off by Bernardo. -- Chouly. You cannot put

that tried down to catching the ball from the kick-off. I'm not having

that! So often we see it happen the other way, drop ball, knock-on,

scrum goes to the opposition. It is that discipline to maintain

possession and that's the result. We will give him an assist for catching

that. Canna with the kick. He's got it. He

has got it. His confidence is up. Canna with the kick. He's got it. He

Jacques Brunel, the coach of Canna with the kick. He's got it. He

That was a great run and a great tackle, brilliant ball and brilliant

angle. They deserve to be eight points in front, I have to say. Away

comes Campagnaro but JP Doyle's whistle sounded. Deliberate

knock-on, no it wasn't deliberate, that would be a penalty, it is just

a scrum. This is Parisse. Vakatawa comes in now with a fantastic

tackle. The defence are all over the place. He is having a brilliant

match. I think everyone is shocked by the

scoreline so far. No one expected this.

And Italy have taken one against the head. Away comes Gori. Bezy gets in

the way. Danty.

Fickou runs into Chouly. France are struggling to build momentum and

continuity. As soon as they get anything that happens that's good

resembling going forward, it breaks down and it's turnover ball. If

there is anybody that's going to change it, if that's man Jonathan

Danty. They're too loose at the moment, I feel. Everything is going

wide. The Italian defence is very well organised. Their line speed is

good. They're not getting anywhere. They've got to go forward, pick and

drive, pick and drive. Suck defenders in and then go wide.

They're just not doing it at the moment. Who runs the defence, Carlo,

is it Garcia? Jacques Brunel is the initial instruction. Garcia is

instrumental and it's very important that stays on the pitch. The free

kick will now come. Up charges Sarto. It's a French

throw. Five metres from their own line. They're putting all the

pressure on the French. That's a poor take.

The captain with the throw. Safely taken by Maestri.

France's first drive from a lineout and maul. It's a good one too.

Vakatawa with the follow-up tackle. Holding on to it. Good chase.

Vakatawa was in there. Good support, as well. Tries to stay on his feet

to give his players a little bit more time to get behind him.

Now we start the changes, on to the field come giant figures

They've to use it quickly. Into the arms of Garcia.

The first touch for Atonio. 145 kilograms of him. Plisson plays

scrum-half. A charge by Poirot. A change of

tactic by Plisson, works well for him. Now the forwards arrive. Good

defence again. Driven back in attack. Given the defensive line

time to get organised. Italy allowed to play on.

Garcia puts it deep into the French 22. Italy are just where they want

to be. That's a great kick again. Left peg. Along the ground. The

problem, it doesn't seem to have any leadership whatsoever.

problem, it doesn't seem to have any the French at the moment. Rather

than being as a team, it's all individual stuff. Some is coming

off, but they're not threatening. I don't feel the Italian defensive

line is threatened whatsoever. They're so confident. They're

comfortable in what they're doing. At the moment they've a lot to do

France to get back into this game. He has to come inside. Fickou makes

the tackle in the end. Again it's a penalty against Italy at the

breakdown. He was going across the field,

breakdown. He was going across the really, was he? No one offered

themselves. France have to rebuild, start again from their own half.

They've to try to put pressure on the Italians in their own 22. They

seem to have this attitude of going wide from everywhere.

Italy get back to help their fullback. At the minute they have

numbers. Into touch.

Italy's Minto is going through an awful lot of work. You see Italy

here with numbers on the outside and not using that angle back into touch

to find some more real estate. The ball gets bundled into touch. On

that kick, the first one back is Minto. There is Luke McLean, he is

on the field. It's David Odiete coming off. I think that's a clever

tactical change because Odiete hasn't done much. He hasn't had to

do much. What McLean offers is a good kicking option with a left

foot. He has come on to complement Canna. If they need to play this in

the French 22 that's the option they need.

Parisse read it sue personally -- superbly well and took the French

throw. Very quiet here.

just feel the Italians are controlling this game. With Parisse

and Gori they're controlling the tempo of the game. As the boys said

in the studio, when it's played at pace, France look at their best. But

they're slowing everything down, the tackles are good. They're causing

problems in the resettling of the ball.

There is space there. It's Sarto flying up. Everything is causing

France problems at the flying up. Everything is causing

they're doing, they're going wide, OK. Then they're forcing the French

back line to come up and the guy who pushed that into touch was the

covering winger. They're playing very, very well the Italians,

tactically astute. I think it's the best I have seen Italy play for a

long time. Everyone expected the youngsters to be inexperienced and

under pressure, they've really stepped up to the plate. They've got

to keep it going now for the remainder of the game. Vakatawa

comes away with it. Anything could happen yet.

Slow everything down now. Doesn't seem to be any urgency in the

Slow everything down now. Doesn't play at the moment. No, it's a long

time since they've had any sustained period of time in the Italian half.

It's overthrown this time. It's a knock-on, advantage to Italy.

They're starting to knock-on, advantage to Italy.

Italian lineout. They need to keep it solid.

JP Doyle, giving Italy the advantage there. He has given France the

scrummage. If they've got to go on and win this game they've to cut the

errors out. It's crucial they win the lineout ball. Lineout ball is

the best attacking ball and losing a lineout in the French half is

something you can not afford. It's important the new front row get

their processes right in the scrumming and get more pressure on

to this French front five. Vakatawa. Looks for the offload.

Huge strength by the winger. A real chance now for France.

They crank it up inside the 22. He is in. Try for the French winger.

Will it go to review? Graham Hughes, the television match

official. That's exactly what we said when they play at pace, they're