France v Italy Match Reports
France beat Italy 23-21 in the opening match of the 2016 Six Nations Championship at Stade de France in Paris. France scored three tries, including one from debutant Virimi Vakatawa, whilst Italy also crossed for two tries in a close encounter. Italy were leading with five minutes of the match remaining when a penalty was awarded to France. Jules Plisson slotted the kick and France held on for a 2-point victory. A selection of match reports is listed below:
- BBC: France sneak past combative Italy
- Guardian: France cling on to edge out Italy after Sergio Parisse blows drop goal
- Independent: Les Blues battle to nervy win as Italians fall short in final minutes
- Telegraph: Guy Noves's side cling on for nailbiting Six Nations win at the Stade de France
- Daily Mail: Jules Plisson's late penalty gives hosts win in Six Nations opener as Sergio Parisse misses a last-gasp drop goal
- Sky Sports: France record nervy 23-21 win over Italy in Six Nations
- ESPN: France do just enough to hold off Italy
- RBS 6 Nations: France hang on to edge out Italy
France v Italy - Match Highlights
France v Italy - Match Statistics
France: (10) 23
Try: Vakatawa, Chouly, Bonneval
Conversion: Plisson
Penalty: Plisson 2
Italy: (8) 21
Try: Parisse, Canna
Conversion: Canna
Penalty: Canna, Haimona
Drop-goal: Canna
Man of the match: Virimi Vakatawa (France)
France Team Line-up
Forwards
- 1 Eddy Ben Arous
- 2 Guilhem Guirado (Captain)
- 3 Rabah Slimani
- 4 Paul Jedrasiak
- 5 Yoann Maestri
- 6 Wenceslas Lauret
- 7 Damien Chouly
- 8 Louis Picamoles
Backs
- 9 Sébastien Bezy
- 10 Jules Plisson
- 11 Virimi Vakatawa
- 12 Jonathan Danty
- 13 Gaël Fickou
- 14 Hugo Bonneval
- 15 Maxime Medard
Replacements
- 16 Camille Chat
- 17 Uini Atonio
- 18 Jefferson Poirot
- 19 Alexandre Flanquart
- 20 Yacouba Camara
- 21 Maxime Machenaud
- 22 Jean-Marc Doussain
- 23 Maxime Mermoz
Italy Team Line-up
Forwards
- 1 Andrea Lovotti
- 2 Ornel Gega
- 3 Lorenzo Cittadini
- 4 George Fabio Biagi
- 5 Marco Fuser
- 6 Francesco Minto
- 7 Alessandro Zanni
- 8 Sergio Parisse (Captain)
Backs
- 9 Edoardo Gori
- 10 Carlo Canna
- 11 Mattia Bellini
- 12 Gonzalo Garcia
- 13 Michele Campagnaro
- 14 Leonardo Sarto
- 15 David Odiete
Replacements
- 16 Davide Giazzon
- 17 Matteo Zanusso
- 18 Martin Castrogiovanni
- 19 Valerio Bernabo
- 20 Andries Van Schalkwyk
- 21 Guglielmo Palazzani
- 22 Kelly Haimona
- 23 Luke McLean