France v Italy Six Nations Rugby

For the first time in its history,

the Six Nations is on tour. From the

cold of Paris to the slightly warmer

Mediterranean. The last time one of

these game was played here was way

back in 1954, when the Five Nations

match between Wales and Scotland was

between St Helens and Swansea.

Tonight we are in another port,

Marseille, as France take on Italy,

and 50,000 fans will turn out to the

two teens badly in need of their

first win of the Championship. --

the two teams. The French arrive at

the start velodrome tonight in

disarray, they have dropped eight

players for inappropriate behaviour

after their defeat at Murrayfield

two weeks ago, including top try

scorer Teddy Thomas. Plenty for new

head coach Jacques Brunel to reflect

on. At least he won't need to do too

much homework on his old team,

Italy. Their current coach, Tom

O'Shea, has targeted this match to

end the run of defeats. Welcome to

the stadium in Marseille. I wouldn't

say it is barmy but it is a few

degrees warmer than we are used at

this time of year. The sunshine

today was certainly welcome. Of

course, it's a Friday night, writes

Ron, there is a fantastic app is for

you. Alongside me this evening I

have three wingers, past and

present, who would like to any

stadium in the world at any time.

Absolute poor pace. -- pure pace.

He

gets there!

For the line.

He cannot

stop scoring!

Going to score!

Great

into play. He's onto the post. One

of the most sensational lines

Pulkkinen's ever seen.

75

international tries between them,

I'm delighted to say, Philip Studd

Andre, former France winger and head

coach. Toulon's Chris Ashton, and JP

Pietersen of South Africa and

England alongside me this evening. I

think you two would have played well

together.

We are always is. -- we

are all wingers. This is great for

too long.

This is a home fixture for

all of you, it is not too far from

your new home, you are arriving in

Toulon at the same time. Things

couldn't be going better view on the

pitch, Chris. Have you subtle in?

With have and I thought, to be

honest. I'm enjoying the rugby down

there, that's why I went there, to

play rugby and scored tries. I

didn't think it will look might

would go as well as it has done, it

has to do with the team that I'm

playing in.

You are onto a club

record.

A league record!

He will

win.

It is going well for you.

Yes,

I would love Chris to give me a

couple of tries, but he's doing it

himself. Coming to Toulon is a good

experience, playing against

world-class players, an awesome

experience is so fast bike you get

to a certain age when the heat and

weather is beneficial

for you fast

guys.

I'm from South Africa, I love

the scrum.

I'm from Wigan, it's very

different!

First Six Nations game

for France outside of Paris, they

have played here many times and have

a very good record, nine wins of 11,

some of them against the best in the

world, like New Zealand. They will

be hoping some of that magic will

rub off tonight on Jacques Brunel's

side.

Yes, we need some magic. We

need a win, we are desperate. It is

a French team, the supporters, it's

a fantastic venue, this stadium is

amazing. Last game we played against

Fiji and we won very easily. We are

hoping for a good win for the French

team.

50,000 here tonight, this is a

rugby hotbed. It is a really

passionate area of France for rugby.

Yes, but we are sad, we can see that

the French team are struggling. Last

time we play Fiji it was sold out,

60,000 people. The Six Nations in

Marseille, just 50,000 people,

because the French team hasn't won

for nearly one year.

They are voting

with their feet tonight. Will we

notice a different atmosphere to

Paris?

Yes, it is a different

atmosphere. I'm sure the supporters

will be behind the team for 80

minutes. A lot of kids, you know, a

lot of clubs around

lot of clubs around Toulon. It's

fantastic so far for the development

of our sport.

Chris, it's a great

stadium, a fantastic amphitheatre.

Yes, I like the way that France do

this, move around and play in

different stadiums. Like Philip

said, the French have got a lot on

their plate tonight, they have a lot

of change with coaches and players

and I think it's great they have a

lot of young players coming into

night playing. It takes time to work

and relationships on the way you

play with each other. The last two

game, they have got better,

hopefully we will see more

improvement.

We will talk more about

that, and all

that, and all of the new personnel

that have come into bank study of

pitch shenanigans. Let's remind

ourselves of how things went a

couple of weeks ago in Round 2.

Kolarov she meets Joe Smit. Ireland

meet Italy. -- Conor O'Shea. The

simple question, by how many would

Ireland win? Would there be a price?

Their word. Robbie Henshaw's

dislocated shoulder. Any comfort for

Italy? Three tries.

It was a question asked by Eddie

Jones. Are you up for it? England's

kicking game spot on. And the chase.

England's passing game, spot on. Joe

Launchbury's, the very best. Two

tries for Johnny made. This was

going only one way. Until the moment

of the match.

going only one way. Until the moment

of the match. Question, try, yes or

no? Question, whose first of the

ball. Good questions, wrong answer.

The first by England.

England, Wales, water to cool

tempers.

To make the colours run. To run, and

to slide, and to make the tackle of

the round. England still right on

track.

Getting back contract, teams that

will face England in rounds ahead.

The real France, the real

Scotland...

Thomas for his second. They sway

back and forth until France swayed

out on their feet. The tireless

Greig Laidlaw carried Scotland home.

Mo here is the table as we enter

Greig Laidlaw carried Scotland home.

Mo here is the table as we enter

Round 3. Pretty grim reading,

Jacques Brunel's team have a losing

bonus point from both their games.

It's going to come in a minute,

believe me! They lost by last than

seven points. Ireland against Wales

is the early game tomorrow. What are

there is the table, just everything

I said, really!

there is the table, just everything

I said, really! . The cup is an at

4pm tomorrow. Coverage starts in the

UK.

4pm tomorrow. Coverage starts in the

UK. Philip, eight players dropped

from the squad because of

disciplinary matters. Of course,

France with the two defeats in the

opening game, eight defeats in a row

now. Jacques Brunel's start couldn't

have got any worse. It seemed like a

big statement to drop those players.

Do you think he would have been so

bold if their opponents were not

Italy tonight was going to be

honest, we were poor in discipline

on the pitch

and we were poor

invisible and outside the pitch. You

have to make some decision. He

dropped Teddy Thomas, the best

player for the French team. At the

beginning of the Six Nations, that

was a big call. But you need

discipline, you need guys who are

professional. And you want to be

much, much better. I think it was

the right decision at the right

moment.

Fitness is always a question

mark over French teams. You are

experiencing club life for the first

time in France over the last season.

Have you noticed a difference in the

intensity in training of what you

would have expected, perhaps, back

home in the UK, and how training was

that?

Not necessarily in training,

but the game, definitely. It's a lot

slower, there are a lot of most

reduce. I have definitely noticed

that, and that can affect a week in,

week out, your fitness levels.

Contacts are high, but fitness is

their important an international

love. I for one reason or another,

perhaps the Ireland game was the

exception, the Scotland game,

though, with that 70 minutes, they

held onto the lead to lose with ten

minutes to go, this looked like a

dropping off of the intensity with

that.

We played quite well doing 60

minutes. When we saw Scotland, they

whisper sprinting to the line-out

was all they were sprinting. After

the game, we started to be tired,

but our bench did not bring any

think you know, because you lost

with 23 players, and the bench is

completely changed after the game

against Gotland because our wingback

player was very poor against the

Scotland.

Remarkably, only five

players survived from both sides

during this fixture last night years

ago. One man back in this side

hasn't started a six mentions game

since 2015, he has been suspended

from the club, came back at the

weekend, is he on the kind of form

that is going to make a difference

for France tonight? What will he

bring?

He's been great all season.

He is a club captain, a very

experienced player whether our team.

He is

He is in this. -- within our team.

He always plays well for too long,

and I'm sure he can play well

tonight, he expects a lot from

himself and will put together a big

performance tonight.

himself and will put together a big

performance tonight.

What's he like

to train with and have around in

this quad?

He is a guy with lots of

character. He brings a lot of colour

to the changing room. But he's a man

that carries his heart on his

sleeve, and you will see a lot

emotion. I think tonight he is going

to bring a big game, and he wants to

put his name on the jersey, he wants

to be the number 13 for France.

A

flamboyant character. He does a

forward roll every time he enters

the arena wherever he is playing,

we'll watch out for this this

evening. Another of your team-mates,

YouGov of, is playing fullback

tonight. Another character, -- Hugo

Bonneval. What is he like to have

around?

Tonight is a great

opportunity for him. He's been

desperate to play for France

opportunity for him. He's been

desperate to play for France for a

while now. Getting to 27 and only

being online caps, I think you'll be

do is appointed with that. I hope

you will take this opportunity

tonight. If he gets time and space

he can take these opportunities and

make tries. He's been doing it for

Toulon and he has always done it in

the side Francais, I hope he plays

well tonight.

He is married to the

tennis player Tatiana Ogof and, in

celebrity in France, part of a

celebrity couple. We said the

discipline has been disappointing

for France. One player they can

always rely on, we have seen it time

and time again, the captain, he is

always so you leads by doesn't he,

OEM goer don't.

-- grey Jurado. We

have had enough of losing.

have had enough of losing. In

Scotland, he was desperate to win. I

think today he will be a key player.

He will win the gain line. It is

very, very important. He knows this

stadium very well.

France know the

last time they lost their opening

two game in the Six Nations they

ended up with a Wooden Spoon. They

have marked this one with the one to

win. Let's get more thoughts from an

Englishman plying his trade in

France right now. Lee McKenzie is

here.

Assistant coach in Bordeaux.

We have heard the guys talking about

what it's like from a playing

perspective. From a coaching

perspective, day-to-day, what is the

Top 14 like?

It's very different to

Super Rugby and our league in

England. It's more powerful, yes,

but they play at a slower pace. That

slower pace is not a great

preparation ground for international

rugby as we have seen with the

French team reason least popular it

is also a very lucrative

Championship in terms of finances.

It brings

of a lot of foreign

players. Is that to the detriment of

the French national side?

I don't

think it is the biggest problem they

have. We have talked about the slow

place of the game. -- slow pace. The

coaching has not been as good, it

has been very stop - start. It is a

long season, the players and

knackered. They can't ever get a

good pre-season in, affecting their

physical conditioning. Those factors

are bigger than the foreigners, I

think.

You were working with Jacques

Brunel, the now French coach, a

former Italian coach as well. You

were talking to him a few minutes

ago. What is he like? Is he the

right man to steer the French ship

through choppy waters?

They are in a

difficult situation. He talked to me

about maybe taking the job, I

thought he had dementia Oh! After

all we talked about earlier, the

problems you have had, it's going to

be with one hand behind your back

straightaway. But he is calm, he can

get everyone together. He is the

French Yoda!

Has he got the measure

of this French side? It has been to

mould to us since the Edinburgh

match, eight players have been

dropped. How cohesive will the team

beaten like?

They are kick short of

beating Ireland, they should have

beaten Scotland. After what happened

in Edinburgh, there were problems,

more they need a performance tonight

because the French rugby nation is

not happy at all.

Thanks very much,

Joe.

You can tell he has been here

longer because he is adopting a

swish, chic scarf that, Chris! It

will be one of those until you have

one of those in your wardrobe, I'm

sure! Time to turn our attention is

to Italy, their coach, Tom O'Shea, a

former Ireland international, he

takes charge for the how time flies!

We have been to visit him at his

home in Lake Garda to reflect on his

time in the Azzurri.

What's it like when you walk around

places like this, do you get

recognised now?

I think we chose

here because it's right in the

middle, you know, it's an hour and

20 for me to get it a reserve and

the same to get to Palmer.

You flew

-- are you fluent in Italian?

I

tried, I did an intensive course

one-on-one, it was pretty tough. But

when it comes to rugby, I have no

problems communicating.

Has there

ever been a culture clash between

the Italian players and the Irish

coach?

Family, no. I think Irish and

Italian people are very reasonable.

-- Donnelly. Even though Italian or

incredibly intense and passionate,

they are incredibly relaxed in many

ways. We don't want to change too

much too quickly.

How important is

it to immerse yourself in the

culture in order to understand your

players?

I think it's vital

anywhere, isn't it, to understand

how day-to-day living works. And

operates.

For you, the tea, Matlab.

It's very like Ireland. It is that

culture of being a family and being

around each other. We go out for a

team meal together and Sergio will

take all of the phones off. It will

be no phones. Everybody, you cannot

have your phone.

How did that go

down?!

They love it, when you're

together, you want to be together,

which is lovely.

Is it changing the

Irishman in new?

I'm under warning

from my wife not to change, so!

Italy haven't made the football

World Cup this summer. Is that an

opportunity for rugby, do you think?

In many ways it is a pivotal moment

for sport in this country, because

football is the religion. I am a

glass half full person, and I think

it's a national disaster but it

could be a great thing for Italian

sport, because they genuinely now

need to make a change.

What's the

biggest single thing holding back

Italian rugby right now?

Well,

there's a lot of things holding

back, but we're beginning to move

forward. And you can see we're

making very, very small that

structurally creating a team. You

are beginning to see some young

players, against Ireland, ten

players with under ten caps. Now,

you have to start somewhere. We have

the experience, but these young

players, they are like a new

mentality, and if we get them that

with every passing month and they

are learning at this level against

teams that, they are licking their

lips when they are playing us, they

come out with a different mentality,

there is changing our mentality and

possession and what other people

think of us. And they are changing

what the players they play against

think.

How vital was it that Sergio

Parisse a hug on and you managed to

persuade him not to retire?

He is

incredible, not just on the pitch.

He is incredible of the pitch.

Sebastian Negri, Giovanni Licata,

these guys are young, I want them to

bleed him dry of every bit of how he

prepares his last off the pitch,

first on the pitch, hopefully in ten

years' time we are sitting in rain,

having a beer together, watching an

incredibly competitive and strong

Italy -- sitting in Rome.

You judged

on results?

I know I'm going to get

judged, I'm not stupid, I've been in

sport all my life. I will be judged.

People will be telling me what my

win- lost ratio is, this is rubbish

and that is rubbish. Everyone has an

ego, it would be wrong by off but I

am here, I hope, to do the right job

for Italian rugby. If that takes a

couple of years and if that means

somebody else inherit a young team

with massive potential, I'm actually

not bothered.

Well, lifestyle looks

lovely. Getting wins, though, for

any Italian coach is an elusive

commodity, isn't it? They are very,

very precious and hard to come by.

Progress is being made? The thing

is, his coaching record, he's been

through the clubs coming he's been

through London Irish, he worked for

the review and was at Harlequins for

six years with great success. It was

natural caps, Dolphin neighbours,

but he wanted to take that into

international coaching. As what

Jonathan Davies. He wanted to help

develop the players at the clubs and

strengthen the clubs. Do you think

he has done that? You watch more of

the pro 14, perhaps, than any of our

commentators dubbed I think he has.

I think Treviso have done a lot

better

this year the structure, they

are getting better, they are getting

results, they are playing against

Leinster, Munster, Glasgow, Cardiff

Blues and by scholars, they are

improving and they are testing

themselves. The one thing they are

going to struggle is their game

management. You have to grasp very

early as a kid, you know, you

flourish as a player, or it takes

time. The only way that will happen

is if they get the experience of

those games in the pro 14. Then it

is a massive step up. I can see why

they are targeting tonight's match.

They might run the French ragged,

but you've got to look at the two

sides, the French have maybe got 14

better players than the Italians, a

long way to go for Conor.

As you

say, development is slow. In Italy,

a lot of people don't realise, they

don't play any sport at school after

15, and they don't play any rugby at

all at school, they have to find

their rugby in grass roots. They

haven't got a culture is so much of

grassroots sport in the way that we

have got used to in Britain.

That is

where the game management comes, the

understanding of the game at what

they do go ring that game. That will

only happen when they put themselves

up against the best rugby players.

It is a tough ask for them. I can

clearly see in the pro 14 this year,

the fitness is getting better, the

discipline is getting better, the

commitment is getting better,

they've just got to try and improve

their core skills.

Thank you very

much. Enjoy, you are about 3000 feet

up in the stadium, the Stade

Velodrome is very steep! You may

remember this stadium, England's the

ball team opened their account

injury 2016 against Russia, that

might be the last time it was on

British to vision. It is a steep and

majestic stadium, the acoustics are

amazing, as we will hear in a moment

when the French Foreign Legion band

plays the amp for us. Let's talk

more about Italy and the fullback

Matteo Minozzi, he scored against

England, 21 years old. He is one of

those players, and not see, he has

got real talent, there's a future

that. -- Minozzi. It is so hard to

get a team of 15 like with a like

lack of grassroots rugby in Italy.

Exactly, we know in Italy there is

not enough depth. But he is a

fullback who is fit and quick and he

is a very, very interesting player.

I hope that he will not touch the

ball too much today!

In a Sergio

Parisse they have a player who has

been a magnificent leader for Italy.

You played against them many times,

you know what it's like, they are

passionate country and they want to

improve their rugby. But this

season, you know, they've come up

against teams so far who England but

might it is so difficult to get

anything out of those teams. Five

tries, two more than France. You

have got to take those small moment

and build on them.

In the two teams,

England and Ireland, that they have

played, those two teams have moved

on so much quicker than the other

teams and improved so drastically.

Italy are getting better, it's good

to see that they are getting better.

They need to start well here against

a French team that needs a win also.

If they start well, I don't see why

this can't be a close game.

We are

certainly hoping it will be. And the

lights on a Friday night, it's a

holiday weekend in France, the start

of the winter holiday for the

French. Will it be a holiday to

cheer for them? Or will Italy spoil

the party? They had a great comeback

against Ireland, Italy, scoring

three tries, looking like they were

getting back into this game. When

they get the ball, they can be a

real threat going forward.

Exactly.

You know, the French team today, we

need to look after the ball. It is

not our best depth. We need to look

after the ball and also we need to

have good discipline.

You will hear

your commentators, Jonathan Davies,

Joe Worsley, and Eddie Butler in a

moment. But first, a Mediterranean

edition of the National and bombs by

the French Foreign Legion band. That

we saw the forward role. I hope he's

not too exhausted! He's going to

need a bit of energy today, one

would think, Mattia Binotto row.

# Allons enfants de la Patrie

Le jour de gloire est arrive

# Fratelli d'Italia

l'Italia s'e desta

# dell'elmo di Scipio

s'e cinta la testa

# Dov'e la Vittoria

le porga la chioma

# che schiava di Roma

Iddio la creo

# Fratelli d'Italia

l'Italia s'e desta

# dell'elmo di Scipio

s'e cinta la testa

# Dov'e la Vittoria

le porga la chioma

# che schiava di Roma

Iddio la creo

# Fratelli d'Italia

l'Italia s'e desta

# dell'elmo di Scipio

s'e cinta la testa

# Dov'e la Vittoria

le porga la chioma

# che schiava di Roma

Iddio la creo

# Stringiamci a coorte

siam pronti alla morte

# Siam pronti alla morte

l'Italia chiamo

# Stringiamci a coorte

siam pronti alla morte

# Siam pronti alla morte

l'Italia chiamo #.

# Allons enfants de la Patrie

Le jour de gloire est arrive

# Contre nous de la tyrannie

L'etendard sanglant est leve

# L'etendard sanglant est leve

# Entendez-vous dans les campagnes

Mugir ces feroces soldats

# Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras

Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes!

# Aux armes, citoyens

Formez vos bataillons

# Marchons, marchons

# Qu'un sang impur

Abreuve nos sillons # !

# Amour sacre de la Patrie

COMMENTATOR: Accompanied by

COMMENTATOR: Accompanied by the band

of the French Foreign Legion, there

is a very southern fields of this

fixture. Jacques Brunel in the

centre, the French coach, under

enormous pressure. He has coached

Italy, he is in charge of a

struggling France. Here they are,

playing in Marseille, it is a

relatively familiar French side, but

the coach has made many changes.

Still the leading tackler in the

Championship. 50 tackles in two

game. Into the three quarters.

Into the centre, the sizeable Mattia

Binotto law, back after suspension.

Italy have Sebastian Negri at wing

forward, who was verbally abused by

Buster

Buster. They have 234 caps between

them. Will Italy? They pose

problems. They scored tries, five of

them against France's three.

The 20-year-old player back off the

bench. Fitness has been an issue for

him.

him. That's Couilloud. Wayne Barnes

is today's referee.

is today's referee. Italy have

targeted this game. They must have a

chance. There are gaps at the

Velodrome. France have stayed away.

A sign of the unhappiness of the

whole situation in French rugby. Off

we go at the Velodrome.

we go at the Velodrome. Winger

Bellini up with the tackle.

Doumayrou takes France out of their

22. Hugo Bonneval Al, the full-back,

his dad Eric was some player. And

Jonathan played against him, didn't

you?

I did. Fantastic.

Italy. How

daring will they be? Is not the

biggest, this one. Light but very

sharp. Won't want to get in amongst

the Giants of the French pack, and

they are massive.

they are massive. Marcelo Violi

sends the first ball over for Italy.

Violi again.

Violi again. Castello, the centre.

A couple of touches, and Alessandro

Zanni, the highly experienced second

forward. Capped at 102 today.

forward. Capped at 102 today. Boni

in the centre. Bastareaud over the

ball. And France get the penalty.

I

think one thing, the lines have been

good by France but sometimes you've

got to play in the right areas.

France will give you opportunities.

Their discipline so it's going to be

crucial where the game is played

tonight. There could be a lot of

penalties. -- they are disciplined.

And several stories to get here, the

Velodrome.

They are playing into

midfield and losing ten, 20 metres

at a time but then they are getting

options at the bounce back. Like

Jonathan said, if they play too much

around there, they will have

problems.

It will be interesting to

see how they play at third man out,

second man out, they have to stop

them.

them.

Camara on the tail. A second

go and this time they go forward.

And they've won themselves a second

penalty. Bastareaud, surprise Mac

Conner they need to get him down

early. --

early. -- Bastareaud, ooh, they need

to get him down early. Camara, who

started all this. Good work by him.

Then the winger, Benjamin Fall.

Machenaud at scrum-half.

Gabrillagues again. Wayne Barnes

says, enough, we will go back to the

penalty.

A very interesting

decision. They need a win, as

they've said. Do they go for goal or

do they back themselves and go for

the touchline? They haven't made the

decision yet, have a?

No.

decision yet, have a?

No. Lionel

Beauxis comes forward and says,

let's be daring.

I think that was a

good decision from the French team.

They need to get into this game

emotionally, get these drives on,

get the line-out. An amazing ball.

The pressure on this team's laments.

-- the pressure on this team is

immense.

The surge towards the line,

Gabrillagues with the captain. A

foot shot.

WHISTLE BLOWS

There's the ball, there's the line,

there's France's opening try!

there's France's opening try!

Very

clever play. Good catch and drive

and this was very close to being a

penalty try, really. The penalty was

already given and just watch, the

outstretched hands. Comes down, puts

the ball down. I think it's the

number four among the others. Yes.

As Jones said, what a start for

France. They took the option to go

for line-out, good drive, and that

was an easy try for them.

Yes,

they've got to play to their

strengths. As I've alluded to, the

pressure on them is enormous.

Talking to people on the street,

really, really angry with this

French team. That pressure will be

eased with this early try.

eased with this early try.

Maxine

Machenaud of the class of 92 in

Paris.

Slides it wide. Just the five

points. But what a five points.

France needed the big start.

But as

we've said, it comes with the

discipline. They end up in their own

22, it came with the penalty, and

they are back on their own line-out

points down.

It all started with

that steel from Bastareaud. That is

France's strength. -- with that

steal.

steal.

Camara. He's had a good

opening seven minutes.

opening seven minutes. Slimani has

to shift himself off the ball. Bit

scrappy from France. Not the longest

exit.

Good chase, I think. Watching

the Italians come blocks. The chase

was good, the off-load, but

Doumayrou didn't clear so well. Good

from the Italians.

Yes, these top

teams aren't so efficient at getting

themselves out of their half and

exposing the other side.

Clever move

by Italy. The old Hans... Oh,

working it but then that little

knock forward. So inventive but

frustrating for Italy. You don't

want the stare of Vahaamahina coming

your way!

If you're going down that

five metre channel, the attacking

options, not great to be honest.

Yeah, you've got to make a line --

line break dead after, to be honest.

Camara, the go to man at the

line-out once again. Taken by

Tauleigne. Penalty Italy this time.

Little knock-on. Yes, anyway,

penalty, Italy.

If you watch this

again, I'm not sure if it was

intentional from Machenaud to just

forget the ball there. He just left

it behind and it didn't go too well

for the French. I'm quite surprised.

That they've gone for the touchline.

Well, they love a driving maul, the

Italians. Don't think the penalty

was there.

Machenaud - look. I think

it was him who helped the oncoming

player because he had left the ball

behind.

Italy claim possession.

Maul, says Wayne Barnes.

Vahaamahina, a sort of serial

offender. Italy will take the

advantage of the advantage. What a

surge by Italy! What a response by

the Italians!

If you love a maul,

you should be here tonight!

Comes up

with the ball.

As they said earlier,

if you do that you are going to get

a penalty. They've got a free play

straightaway. They know they can

take the point of they want to but

they are so, you know, they are all

over the place, this French pack of

forwards. Bill discipline and then

is an easy, easy try for the

Italians. That will give them a lot

of confidence. -- poor discipline

and then it is an easy, easy try.

You make errors like that at this

level you are going to pay, you are

going to pay.

going to pay.

He's just spoken to

Wayne Barnes after seeing the replay

and gone, hang on a minute. You

know, he hasn't grounded that. Let's

have a look.

It was that last angle,

wasn't it?

Guess, just watch.

CROWD BOOS.

THE ITALIANS HAVE LINED

UP FOR A RESTART SO I WOULD SAY HE

MIGHT GIVE A PENALTY TRY FOR THE

COLLAPSE.

I BELIEVE IT IS A BLUE

HEAD GOD.

-- I believe it is a blue head

guard. Number six.

guard. Number six.

Lauret, number

six.

This could be a double whammy

for the Italians.

for the Italians.

He's not grounded

but neither did Lauret bring it

down.

It's the number eight, is it?

Number six? Lauret is there. That's

the best angle. I don't think he

intentionally takes it. So difficult

to see from that angle.

I think it's number eight, is it?

From the far right, Tauleigne... I

don't think they are going to name a

culprit but the penalty try... It's

coming. Wayne Barnes awards the

penalty try and Italy take the lead.

No conversion these days with a

penalty try. 7-5 Italy.

Well, that's

some start, Joe.

Yes, turn up that

pressure gauge again!

If you catch

that drive you are in your element.

Lionel Beauxis. Up high. On comes

the chase and that's very well

taken... By Negri. That's a good

drive by the veteran hooker,

Ghiraldini, who plays his club rugby

in France at to lose. -- at

Toulouse. Negri again. And Violi

weights.

weights. Parisse got a hand to it.

Knock-on by the Italian captain.

Still one of the best ball-carriers

in the Italian side, Ghiraldini.

Still thinking, or you've got to do

is play and France will give you

opportunities. They crank up the

pressure on themselves.

Yes, it'll

be interesting to see what they've

been given of the game plan because

they've been trying to evolve the

playing side, the attacking side of

their game. And they could go for a

territory game, which would be a

good strategy.

The interesting to

see how much pressure Italy exit

here. -- it will be interesting. We

won't know about the Latin challenge

at the moment but it does involve a

lot of heavyweight work upfront.

Yes, those players in their

armchairs tonight must be loving

this! Can't get enough!

Straight to

the knee, that's what he said. I've

got no idea.

Zanni and the much less

experienced Paul abbey -- Paul

Gabrillagues.

Gabrillagues. Here goes Guirado. Not

just the leading tackler but also

one of the great ball-carriers.

Those front row charges have earned

France the penalty. Again, it's that

free play. Beauxis has a go on his

own. Quick delivery.

Bastareaud, off his wing. Has a go.

Guirado sets it up. Lauret looks for

the pass! Flicks one out! Pushed to

the ground but that's the goal line

in the background! France come up

the short side through Tauleigne.

The power of the number eight. A bit

closer. A few more options.

Italy have at least slowed up the

delivery.

Slimani and Guirado have been

involved from the start. Takes three

to drive in there and then he gives

away the penalty. Bastareaud...

Poirot arriving.

I tell you what,

you didn't say advantage over.

That's what he was asking. -- he

didn't say. I think the French

forward hit the line, he had to give

the ball out wide, there were

numbers on the left and he didn't

see the support on the left. And now

they are back on the halfway line.

That's a very good kick by Allan. A

chance missed?

Definitely. It's a

great move to do, hitting flat on

the line, because the Italian

defence is not reading that at all

well.

This is the pass, I think.

Beautiful. He's got to throw it to

the left, looks straight through,

he's got to give it! Censure,

full-back and winger outside. --

centre, full-back.

Italy remain in

front, two points ahead and in

possession. That hasn't gone very

far. Brilliantly taken by Fall.

Bastareaud, quite happy to be a

distributor. This is Doumayrou.

Inside.

Inside. Beauxis again. Write the

first tackle. Up to the -- rides the

first tackle, up to the line.

Forwards, backs combining. Poirot

takes it on. Good footwork from

Machenaud.

A great sequence from

France here. Attacking high on the

line.

Tauleigne! Inches short!

Machenaud looks left, looks left,

hangs on himself. Well tackled. It

comes out to Boni and off he goes,

the centre. Excellent passing by

Italy. And then it is hoofed

downfield. The pressure on one knee.

The follow-up tackle.

Tried to buy a penalty then. Ordered

to play on.

to play on. France re-consolidate

their position.

They are slowing it

down. They kicked straight out and

that was a poor kick. They've just

blown two try scoring chances there.

The first one on Lauret went through

and then they've got so many numbers

on their left, they lost the ball --

they lost the ball beyond the ruck.

If they go down left, they score...

I've no idea. They lose the ball and

they are away. I've no idea if they

scored or not.

You can see they've

blown a couple of good try scoring

opportunities. This is why the

French team are not the team they

should be.

You have to say, Boni led

the tackle and then let the counter

from his own line.

Just that little

bit of composure when it's on...

Here we are.

Here we are. Just checking whether

France have scored again.

They don't sound very convincing,

the pair of them, to be honest. He

says, are you sure it's not a try?

I'm sure the boys in Stuart will

have a look at that at half-time. --

in

in steward.

Parisse, locks it down.

First time we've seen Mbanda on the

ball. Progress now from Italy. They

have the one try to their name.

Trying to string something together.

It is a bit too clever. Sergio

Parisse let go past his chest and it

took the other players by surprise.

His reaction was too slow. He

knocked it on. Thought they would

get it. Plenty of opportunities,

especially for France.

Also, the

intensity of this match, you watch

the game they played last week,

sorry, two weeks ago, and then the

England game after, the intensity,

and we are seeing that again

tonight.

tonight.

After 60 minutes, they were

out on their feet and Conor O'Shea

would have noticed that. He has

worked on fitness and wants to keep

the tempo going.

Quickest ball. They

are playing a lot outside

Bastareaud. I suppose Italy must

think he's coming their way but he's

letting it go.

That's a good option

because we saw earlier, France had a

move where Bastareaud came on the

shoreline and all committed to him.

If they had been correct they might

have scored because that was a bad

pass. A lot of chances around that.

I think they drifted early on and

could have shown and gone. That will

come later in the game. He is 20

stone. Use them as a decoy, but from

first phase, you've just got to give

it to him, stick it up your jumper

and charge down the middle and then

go!

None of those front rower are as

heavy as him combined!

heavy as him combined! Good, quick

ball from the scrummage. Violi comes

on to it. Boni... Minozzi, again,

not the biggest, but well delivered.

A change of direction. Parisse...

Didn't try to let that one go.

Slightly on his own.

Boni twists and turns and delivers.

He is the New Zealander. In blue.

Lovotti again. Going nowhere. Had to

be wary of that, Bonneval. Oops!

Oops! Foul!

Oops! Foul!

I don't think you knew

what he was doing there. Good option

for the Italians, good space for

them to go into. Had they carried on

playing, we might have seen another

turnover by Bastareaud back in their

half. But good kicking and then

France messed up another exit.

It's

a treacherous little beast, the

bouncing rugby isn't it?

Budd, loses it as he came down to

earth. Gets the rebound.

This could be interesting.

Bastareaud, lets it go. France.

Inside pass but it's gone out of

play.

Yes, great play by the French.

Did exceptionally well. Around the

outside.

outside. Not sure what happened to

instigate this. Whether they were

going for a quick throw in and they

stopped it, but I'm sure that TMO

will have a good look at this.

I bet

the words pushing and shoving only

come into it!

come into it!

I'm just looking at it

now. There is an arm and it's not

late.

A good tackle by Minozzi. And

then Ruzza, who is known for his

strong running.

Nice tackle, lined

him up, a great tackle. Used the

defender. I think there was nothing

wrong with... A good arm tackle, he

said.

They are still sort of going

off a bit down there.

All restored.

They are having the French

television replay, so I'm not sure

where they are...

They are missing

for the good stuff! They throw. To

the experienced second row. Violi.

Is not much

Is not much room for Benvenuti to do

much there.

You saw them falling on

the floor, they were under pressure.

Violi just dived on the ball.

An

insane option from Italy there.

Thanks for that(!) Space for one,

dies on the ball and gives the

penalty away. -- dives on the ball.

That with very well-placed. It is

the daring option and the daring

kick. Benvenuti saying, thanks a lot

for this! I'm in trouble here!

What is Italian for hospital?! I'm

not sure!

He sends the ball back, as

ever, into Guirado. Camera surname

takes exception to being held. It is

there for France on the ground for

Machenaud. Burrow. A good extra half

meter made by the pop. -- Poirot. --

by the prop. This is where he is so

dangerous, Bastareaud. Ghiraldini

with the tackle.

That is the third

time they have been hit like this.

Penalty option a game for France.

Laurette.

Laurette. -- Lauret. Italy's

defending good, but still an

advantage. Camara surname. --

Kamara.

Kamara. Wayne Barnes goes back to

the original penalty. Surely this

time... Bonneval has other ideas.

I

think the communication isn't right,

the fullback and the stand-up, when

they've made the yards, instead of

getting it out wide when they've got

an overlap, they are going one

extra. The Italians are not

committing and the defence is

organised. Just better communication

from the French to say, look, it's

on now, you've got to give it.

He is

completely correct, the big

occasion, the emotion, the French

are putting in the hard yards but at

the right moment they are not making

the right call, as we saw their debt

against quite -- as we saw there yet

against point Yacouba Camara against

Maxime Mbanda.

Maxime Mbanda.

Sergio, adjust the

line, please, remember it's on the

try line.

Italy have to get back

behind the goal line. Maxime

Machenaud, this too but France in

the lead as we approach the

half-hour mark. -- this to put

France in the lead. France in

Marseille do take the lead.

28 minutes, they have taken a one

point, you know, margin. They are in

the game. Most of the game has been

played in their half. I think maybe

we should turn the big French park

and just make them play, come into

their own 22. As Joe said, the extra

plan hasn't been going well. He is a

massive Kickl, but doesn't seem to

be wanting to take the option.

Lets

it go out of play. The first basic

error made by Italy. They have

defended stoutly. Such errors as

that, based at to hurt you.

That is

a poor, poor restart. They have been

under the cosh. They have been

tackled on numerous occasions and

not conceded a penalty. Now, from

theirs, they can either attack them

on the short side or turn and put

them under the 22 against.

I imagine

we will see a couple of passes and a

kick through into the corner. More

pressure.

Crouch, bind, sat. OK, let's go.

We're going to come a little bit

less because we're touching heads.

Just a little bit more left. Just

come left.

, O'Shea with Mike Catt

to his left. Assistant head coach,

backs coach for Italy.

Just get

stable.

Jacques Brunel on his left. Julien

Bonnaire, the line-out specialist.

On the French coaching team.

Crouch,

bind, sat.

And it goes again. Well,

I mean, we've had a bit of

everything in the first half hour. I

suppose it's only natural we have a

pause for a bit of scrummage and

chaos.

Wane does not like repeated

scrums slumming the game down. At

some point, he'll get the yellow

out.

You can see they have got road on

the right-hand side, that's why

they've got three defenders, Italian

defenders -- Bastareaud. It could be

an eight, nine back row cover,

trying create the extra man.

Patience, Crouch, bind, set.

I can

imagine that they will go left... Or

write! No, left they go. Machenaud.

Over half way. That was a thumping

tackle. Away he comes...

tackle. Away he comes... Camara in

support, off-load is to Machenaud.

Interception by Bellini. Slightly on

his own for the moment. Bastareaud,

brilliant pass off the ground.

, -- Vahaamahina. Bonneval, Parisse

with a tackle. Leval twists. And its

Camara again.

Farhaan Hnia, the back five of the

forwards. -- Vahaamahina. Trying to

thread one through. No advantage.

Will it be words from the referee?

Persistent offences now. Quickly

take -- taken by Doumayrou. Tackle.

Machenaud. Has anybody called it?

They have! Bastareaud looking to

come off. They take the lead, 22

only. If Bastareaud had got a hand

to it, it would have been a try.

No,

a penalty, maybe, unbelievable.

You

know what's happening there now?

Menotti has tried to take the quick

22 drop out, and he has just wrapped

himself around him, not once, but

twice.

twice. Fairplay to melodic, he saw

there was nobody back for France did

take a quick drop out -- to Menotti.

It was open field for him, Menotti.

The defender grabbed him twice.

Andrea Lovotti receiving attention.

Work out the chaos, Jonathan.

This

is a break, he goes in. The off-load

is good. This is a break, he goes.

There is a couple of off-load is

late, there. This is the knock-on.

He wraps round Master Rod, hits his

knees, play on, it's a touchdown,

right -- Bastareaud. It is a great

tackle by the winger, saves a try.

From there, he tries to take a quick

22. And it's a penalty. You are

looking as a French coach, you are

thinking, all of this pressure, all

of this territory, and we are one

point in front. You know, they just

haven't been clinical enough when

they have been in the right areas.

One thing we do know, Remy Grosso

has a hand-off.

He is a big, strong

brood. The first tackle he broke,

after that he's pretty good, he

doesn't make mistakes getting out of

his territory.

Dean Budd is back on his feet, he

will put his little scrum cap back

on. All is he coming off for, well,

what counts as an HIA nowadays? Who

knows!

In France he must have a bang

on the knee!

LAUGHTER

George Biagi comes on for Italy,

slightly greying of beard now. He's

32 now.

He's from Scotland, isn't

he?

He was, he was raised there.

Into touch it goes.

He was in the

stands throwing that back in!

Hugo

Bonneval he brings something to the

field!

He does, things I haven't

seen for a while.

It's noticeable that both sides are

willing to slow down the game

between plays. Whereas Scotland, for

example, wanted to play at a high

tempo.

That's what I wanted to get

that earlier, the intensity. It's

not an intentional thing. It's a lot

slower than the league that we play

in back in England.

Under pressure.

The first time we've had a penalty,

then they lose a line-out, they hand

possession of a gander.

Guirado,

happy to go... Oh, forwards.

Parisse. Yacouba Camara out. Good

passing by France. Italy trying to

pick off a turnover, don't manage

it. Chest tackle, says Wayne Barnes,

and allows play to go on. He drills

one into the 22. Tommaso Benvenuti,

to not. What a kick! -- to Minozzi.

Well, it's the first time it's

happened, but we've gone aerial.

Too

far, though.

Minozzi, beats

Bonneval.

Ghiraldini, slips a good pass.

Sit

down!

Good charge. Lovotti carries

it on.

Guirado had his head in the

wrong position, there.

Even so, he

has made 50 tackles, just getting

one wrong is forgiveable!

It's not

that one you need to worry about,

though.

Off your feet, now. Good

discipline, good discipline.

You

have line side. They have a look,

Parisse slips. He has to go to

ground, smack on the halfway line.

Good play from Italy. The ball is

slowing down now. What are they

going to do?

Taken on by Ferrari,

the prop. Mbanda is involved again.

Sligo hand from the number seven. --

sleight of hand.

They have got too

many men in that ruck, Italy. The

players are white, they take the

ball. -- the players are wide.

Mbanda. He is Allan.

A bit too far.

Able to make an easy mark.

Again,

just roll it. Maybe put it into

touch in the 22, a little bit of

pressure on the Italians. The wrong

decision, poor execution.

Sebastian Negri, one hand off and

another bump off. And then the pass

out of the back of the hand. France

can do exactly the same. The great

Sergio Parisse. Defended off by

Camara.

The one thing, they need to

straighten up, they are cramping a

little bit, the French backs.

Biagi

wins line-out ball. Negri, he has

had several of these charges. They

are working well. Parisse. Biagi,

blimey, there are people being

bounced off all over the place.

Mbanda has a go.

He is rushing up.

It's like an umbrella defence,

trying to stop them getting on the

outside.

Negri can't quite get that

hand off... France, through Matteo

Bastareaud. But is it onto the pick.

Italy within three metres of their

own wine. In danger of giving away a

penalty. They have. -- their own

line. Well, it with excellent work

again by Bastareaud. Talk about a

presence on the field. Benjamin Fall

took advantage.

Good play by that

man there, Bastareaud. He took on

the ball. Lovely kick through. I

think they might have Guirado of

foreign HIA here, because, yeah...

-- for an HIA. I think it was maybe

a stinger. They're going to chat

with him anyway.

See what the

half-time! -- they are going to

check with him anyway. See you after

half-time! It may not be the longest

appearance for France's replacement.

There he is. The youngster

watching... Just watch where his

head was on the wrong side. This is

a great tackle. He just rips the

ball away, a lovely little kick

Wi-Fi, just what. The kick. -- by

far, just watch.

Mattia Binotto -- Mattia Bastareaud

is the captain in the absence of

Yanda dove. This do but France

further in the lead. -- this to put

France further in the lead. It's

good! 11-7, there is time for the

restart.

, though Alan Woodward very careful

with this. The last one was too

long. -- Tommaso Allan. The same

sort of landing area, this time

infield. Pigs it out of play.

Half-time. France lead at the

velodrome in Marseille by 11-7 --

takes it out of plaster pillock I

think, with all of the pressure, the

territory

I think, with all of the

pressure, the territory, I think the

coach will

pressure, the territory, I think the

coach will be happy. As I said

earlier, the French will give you

opportunities in their own half,

they have got to take the penalties.

You know, France, they have got to

straighten up and be more clinical

in their attack.

And perhaps this

was the moment by half. France had

just got on the scoresheet and Italy

to get right back down the other end

of the Beale, decided to get the

penalty themselves, in the end, the

TMO awarded a penalty try. The kick

at the end gave France a bit of blue

water between themselves and Italy.

Four point is the difference. In

terms of the stats, well, as you can

see, its possession, really, that

France have

see, its possession, really, that

France have dominated. They haven't

made enough of it, though. If you

have a look as well at tackles made,

Italy having to work really, really

hard out there. Guys, it must be

frustrating for a Frenchman to sit

there and watch,

frustrating for a Frenchman to sit

there and watch, feeling France have

so many opportunities. We will show

them squandering so many clear try

scoring opportunities, making

mistakes and snatching at things,

basic errors. Are they trying to

hard others might do they want it

too much?

May be the pressure, but

we are not clinical. Italy can have

one opportunity and score. We need

to be more patient and precise. So

many times we are close to the line.

Nobody gives a pass. Also, we are

penalised because we are criticised

when we are clean. We are in front,

but Italy are very close to us.

Your

team-mate Mattia Bastareaud has been

a great force, he has made his

presence felt and good things have

come. But he has also been involved

in some of those mistakes and

errors. You said before it is

typical of a French club game, too

many stops and starts and periods

where nothing is going on.

It has

been a bit slow, but they have

opportunities to score. You can see

they are frustrated, he was

frustrated when he missed the

off-load. In the 22, they need to be

more precise, if they get one or two

opportunities and score the game

will open up for them. I don't feel

that Italy have been in the game too

much, the attack is really

threatening. Mattia have had a good

game in defence and heard a couple

of good balls over.

What have you

made of Italy?

Italy get one

opportunity and they will score.

Like Chris said, they are not really

threatening France on defence.

There's a lot of positives for

France, but if Italy can be more

clever with the kegs, kicking behind

-- with the kegs, it will put them

in the game more.

It looked so

promising for France, good early

decision-making, brave decision

making, when they could have gone

for the penalty, they went for the

kick and the line-out, Bastareaud

making great tackles and France. We

promised you that he would be

forward rolling his way onto the

pitch, some people suggesting it

might be more of a judo move, I'm

not sure it's something I recognise

from gymnastics! But he was there,

he

he came up with a bang and was

instrumental in creating those

opportunities.

I think he is the

best player of the French team at

the moment. He goes forwards, he is

very, very strong. He is strong in

defence and also he is the captain

of Toulon. He speaks French in the

Italian team!

That was a big

decision, to go for the kick and the

line-out.

It was, it was probably a

plan they had at the start of the

game, they want us is a practice.

Fast.

I wonder who would want to

talk about all the three winners.

JP, you put your hand up and said,

this is my area.

There is good

forward play from the French team.

Also of this try from kick-off,

France did well. They brought Italy

back in the game, from France's

point of view, if they can exit well

with the score and put pressure on

Italy I think we will be comfortable

today.

It was the last thing they

wanted, the ball to go back to the

other end of the pitch,, so Alan

making another good decision for

them, a great decision, not to just

take the point.

Exactly. The

Italians are well organised.

Sebastien gave two easy penalties,

he was penalised a lot. You give

this easy penalty, we were quite

lucky, it is a penalty try but it

can also be a yellow card. You know,

one opportunity for Italy. We were

too soft. And also, we are so strong

with the forwards, we have so much

going. We must defend and be much,

much better.

Conor O'Shea's

reaction, he was delighted to see

his team get back into it so

quickly. As I say, the scoreline

stayed the same for a long time. And

Italy, it you said, they were not

creating very much themselves. At

times there were huge gaping holes

which France were not exploiting,

and they had so many opportunities,

France, that they blew.

France had a

lot of opportunities.

France, that they blew.

France had a

lot of opportunities. A good line

break there.

Why doesn't he off-load

the ball?! He has got all of those

wingers!

Sometimes it is

communication. We spoke earlier

about this, there is not enough.

There's not a lot of communication

coming from the outside. If you look

now, you can see a line break, both

pressure, but there is no patience,

everybody is brushing each other.

A

big overlap on the right side, four

guys against two. And we choose the

wrong side. Also, the French team

are not confident at the moment. We

lost eight games in a row. Because

of this, we need to be more patient.

We must come back with seven points.

Sometimes this happens when guys

don't play together too much. I

don't think these two have played

together very much at all. The

relationship, you can see there is a

misunderstanding. He is screaming

for the ball and not getting it.

Exactly, I think it is a mess of

communication. Also, we go forwards,

five or six times. Jeffrey pro is

coming like he is in a swimming

pool, you can't do this excite you

need to scale Nordtveit -- row is.

Just towards the end of the half.

So

many opportunities, after we are in

front, we have so many

opportunities. Normally we must be

14 or 15 points in front, and Italy

are still there.

He has had a big

impact, though, on the first half,

Bastareaud.

Definitely coming he is

in great form in Toulon. I can see

he is getting better in the second

half, I have a feeling he's going to

score in the second half and he will

be better.

He is not your classic

shape for a centre, if that's

putting it politely.

He is a proper!

Some might say he would have been

well-suited up there. Does he have

the fitness to last the distance?

Will he go for 80 minutes today?

I

don't think fitness is one of his

best attributes. He is more

physical, strong defence, running

over people. Thanks Willie, he is

playing the slow game. I agree with

JP, he will put more and more into

this game and hopefully he will get

a try. He deserves it.

There was

another moment, I will have to have

a look at this. You can either

defend him or say this is a cardinal

sin, but Rossouw has a fantastic

opportunities.

Exactly. We won the

ball on the line-out. You know, for

once we have a quality of pass. We

try to do one pass more and

we. This

is fantastic. Bastareaud with a good

pass. This is very, very good. He

breaks, but after, you need to have

they on the pitch. We go for 160

metres on this position, he must

stay inside the pitch. Carry on and

get one or two more. We must be more

and more patient.

Every time they

have made a break, they seem to be

on their own. There is just one man

with them, nobody supporting and

getting up close.

You mentioned the

nine and ten. Most of this team

haven't played together before in

this commendation, they have lost

eight members out of the squad, they

already started the Six Nations with

a lot of new faces, some of them

haven't come back after Matchday

one. It must be hard to get their

usual.

Exactly, a lot of new players

in the team, a lot of excitement,

sometimes, but it is also the belief

of actually, like, they can actually

break the line and score, and they

are looking with

confidence. Hopefully the coach can

tell him, believing yourself,

express yourself, go forward and

score the try is.

The second half,

we have seen France actually look

weaker in the second half in many

ways in the first two games. The

opposition here today may

counterbalance that, you would hope,

for France.

We are OK, 60 minutes. I

hope we can score a few tries. After

the match we will be very important.

We have a lot of new players today.

The scrum-half is a good player. I

hope these guys can bring some magic

during the last 20 minutes.

It is

tough in the Six Nations, to bring

so many new players throughout this

time.

You know, the Top 14, we say

it is a very, very long season. It

is a lot of injuries. We have a

habit to have a lot of injuries.

Lets for a moment look ahead to

tomorrow. It is Calcutta Cup time.

Gregor Townsend played in

tomorrow. It is Calcutta Cup time.

Gregor Townsend played in many of

those matches, this is his first in

charge of Scotland at head coach. He

has been looking forward to it with

Lee McKenzie.

What I Dorma memories

of Calcutta Cup? You have played, I

think, ten?

Are you going to tell me

how many I have won! It is one! One

at a time.

That was a match that was

filled with foreboding, or did you

look forward to it?

I did, I

probably put too much emotion into

it. I'd been a supporter of the

national team over the 80s and 90s

and seen that game against England,

it gets you really fired up. As a

player, that came rushing through my

veins and body. I'm sure it will for

our players.

And will it be through

maturity or the fact you have a

different role as a coach that

you have to maybe step back a bit

and keep that emotions in check? It

is a different role, isn't it?

It

will become. There is a real edge to

our preparations, it is exciting,

preparing for a team as good as

England. It is such an important

fixture for everyone in Scotland,

that is our biggest fixture of the

year, we can't wait to play.

Of

course, our coverage starts at 4pm

on BBC One tomorrow. Chris, you

played in many of those Calcutta Cup

matches and you sport in one as

well. They are the biggest game of

the year. And, certainly. England,

every game is huge these days, isn't

it, with Eddie Jones on this hunt

for perfection.

it, with Eddie Jones on this hunt

for perfection.

Yes, especially

after last

year, there hype around the Scotland

team, and there has been this year,

especially going to Twickenham next

summer last season, the expectation

was so much more, they got blown off

their feet. England blew them away

the first 20 minutes. Up in

Scotland, they are expecting a lot

more of themselves, they want to put

on a better show. It has been mixed,

the first few games. They will be

looking forward to it, I'm sure they

are excited about having England up

there.

The Scotland we saw in the

autumn didn't turn up against Wales

in the opening game, but they went

back to basics last -- against

France last week. They resorted to

old style pack takes, Greig Laidlaw

being essential.

He is a fantastic

for the last 20 minutes. I feel

Scotland were a bit more direct than

they had been against Wales, you

know? And a bit more precise. After

with the tempo of the game they knew

that the French team will have a

better discipline the last 20

minutes, so I think Scotland will

deserve to beat France.

Grand Slam

for England, do you think they can

do it?

I hope so. I think they've

got a very good chance. Everyone is

concentrating on the last game

against Ireland. Every game is tough

in this competition, especially when

you've got to go and play the away

games, is hard. Scotland will be

difficult for them tomorrow. The

position they are in the mentality

they have under Eddie is a one of no

fear. They keep producing wins, who

knows? Identity why not.

knows? Identity why not.

Eddie says

he reckons he will have to get 20%

more out of these players. He thinks

there is a lot more to come, which

is quite frightening, isn't it? Have

you got to ion Wales tomorrow?

Definitely, I am named after JP

Williams. It was a good game, Wales

against Ireland, a lot of

confidence. After they played

against England, they were not lucky

at Twickenham, it has been a good

time. Ireland has been the best

attacking side so far in the

competition, but we will see.

We

shall see. You can see the Calcutta

Cup on BBC One. Coverage starts at

4pm. Before that, coverage of the

island- Wales game. -- the island-

Wales game.

You can use the BBC sport app and

the BBC sport website. The Shuffle

will be available on Monday morning

with the best bits of Round 3. We

have it covered for you. Joe is back

with Lee. He hasn't hotfooted it all

the way back down, as he?

He has

joined me! Front of the upper hand

at the moment but small margins. Who

will be the happier coach this week?

Definitely Conor. We prove our

line-out, we get our kicking name --

kicking game better, we can maybe

steal this match. They dominated

possession and territory and a

number of chances to convert so the

French coach will be really, really

peeved at the moment.

It has been a

match so far for the forwards. Thank

you for your thoughts and

commentary.

No worries. Catch you

later.

COMMENTATOR: Yo-yo in the Velodrome!

We are not on a yet! France have

their captain back on the field.

They have a 4-point advantage. And

we are off. A change of direction by

Beauxis. Well type -- well taken by

Mathieu Bastareaud. -- by Bellini.

Allan for touch.

It be interesting

to see if Italy do change their

tactics a bit. They haven't had a

lot of possession to change their

tactics, really. As everyone said,

it's been clinical. The French have

just got to be a bit more clinical,

better communication.

They've been

very strong here, France, till now.

And they lose their first line-out

of the second-half. The first to

attack the line. Wayne Barnes shouts

at Italy to use it. Violi towards

Benjamin Fall.

Easy take for him.

Oops, that's a bit high by Zanni.

Wayne Barnes impassive.

Parisse, got a little knock to it.

Violi has to use it quickly, and

while he hesitates, France

counter... Well, they go. Camara!

Great hands! Oh, they've knocked it

on. That's the best chance they've

had an they've had so many. And

they've fluffed it again.

Everything

he said at half-time - it's just...

You just waits and waits, great

counter rucking by the French. He

tried to take the wind out of it, or

the scrum-half, it was, but they've

just blown it again, and that's not

the French knock-on. That is touched

by the Italian and that should be a

French scrum.

No, Taiwan, the second

one a knock-on by France and he

picked it up in front of him. It

could be a penalty.

could be a penalty. -- no, hang on,

the second one was a knock-on by

France. Tried it up.

France. Tried it up. Tauleigne will

once more distance but he hasn't got

it so France still on the attack.

He's got it so well, Castello, and

then he's throwing the ball back 20

metres.

Essential international

rugby. You copy giving territory

like that. -- you cannot be giving

territory.

This time the line-out is good for

France. Bastareaud. Still

Bastareaud. The power of the Toulon

centre.

centre. This is Tauleigne. Poirot

arrives. Slimani feeds Camara.

Backwards, high. Poirot delivers.