France v Italy

Will last season's grand slam winners France open their campaign with victory in Rome, or could Italy produce a shock? Join Lee Calvert.

Italy come back at them from the lineout and create a little gap for Capuozzo out wide, but the ball is slightly behind him and snaffled by Ramos. Dupont has a dart left off the back of a big French maul in the Italy half. Allan call for the tee and puts his side on the board. Some outstanding attacking patterns and handling from Italy follows a big maul drive, and France are scrambling all over the place in their own half. On another advantage, Italy are attacking on the France 22, and the intricacy of their attacking patterns is outstanding. The work it with several carries from the forward tight around the ruck, before the ball rolls loose and is regathered. Italy manage something resembling a reasonable exit from the kick-off, and France have their first attack of the half from the resulting lineout. Well, yes, in that he blew the whistle to award the penalties that gave Italy either territory or a chance to kick posts. The Azzuri pack catch and drive it and on the second shove they are this close to forcing the ball over the line but Ollivon illegally pulls the maul down. France have some decent possession of the first time in a while and from a maul on the right the fire it left into midfield. Fusco has added a bit more zip with his passing from the breakdown as Italy try to run it from their own half. Les Bleus had a chance to close out the game with a lineout in the Italy half, but the imprecision comes to the fore once more as they can’t claim their own throw.

Live updates from Sundays Round 1 2023 Six Nations clash between defending Grand Slam champions France and Italy from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (3pm ...

France are the reigning grand slam champions and begin their title defence with a trip to Rome to face a resurgent Italy.

“Down by white!” cries Matthew Carley - France have done it! An extraordinary game of rugby, and another significant feather in the cap of this rapidly developing Italian team. This competition is the best in the world and we are really under pressure. You doubt that Fabien Galthie will over-react, but he’ll be worried about how Italy were able to stress and strain his midfield defence. “They have really, really lifted their game, they’ve improved their gameplan, their discipline - it was a tough game. Each game is going to be a different challenge.” We are very confident for next week. F/T: Italy 24-29 France “We are improving every week. We had our chances - first half, a bit too many errors, we gave away 19 points off our mistakes. It’s those small margins we talk about. The Six Nations, eh?

Les Bleus swept all before them last year for the first time in 12 years and eased past England to clinch glory in Paris on the final day.

Italy 24-29 France FT: Italy 24-29 France Italy 24-29 France LIVE!