Italy vs. France: Score and Reaction from 2017 Six Nations Round 4
France cruised to a 40-18 win over Italy in Rome during Saturday's 2017 Six Nations action.
Gael Fickou, Virimi Vakatawa, Louis Picamoles and Brice Dulin scored the tries for the visitors, while Camille Lopez was his usual, efficient self with the boot. Sergio Parisse opened the scoring and Carlo Canna did some damage from the tee, but Italy crumbled in the second half. Angelo Esposito put the final score on the board.
With both teams out of the running to win the Six Nations, fans came into the match expecting an exciting, attacking display.
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The Azzurri didn't disappoint, scoring the first try after just two minutes. France collapsed the maul, giving the Italians a penalty advantage, and Canna beautifully played in veteran star Parisse, who touched down.
RTE Rugby shared this highlight of the try:
Italy's kicking game continued to lag behind, however, as the hosts missed the conversion.
France patiently worked their scrum into Italian territory and gained plenty of ground on their way to their first points, a penalty goal from Lopez after nine minutes.
A smart kick from Lopez cleared the pressure that started after an uncontested lineout, and Parisse couldn't find a way through the defence from the maul. France were disciplined, but an error creeped in eventually, and Canna easily converted the penalty from in front of the posts.
Meanwhile, Yahoo Sport France picked up this beauty:
Fickou set up a superb reaction on the restart, allowing Lopez to reclaim three points just two minutes after Canna kicked his penalty. And Les Bleus continued their momentum, once again bursting forward after a poor kick on their way to a first try.
Some beautiful passing saw Fickou beat his man after a dummy before going over the line. Per Telegraph Rugby, it was easy:
Lopez's conversion gave the visitors a 13-8 lead, but Canna kicked another penalty just a few minutes later after the French failed to release.
The French scrum kept doing damage, and another breakdown allowed Lopez to score the final points of the half from the tee. Just three minutes into the second half, he was at it again, taking France's lead up to 19-11.
Italy's lack of stamina has been an issue throughout the tournament, and things were no different on Saturday. The Azzurri kept the first half close, but a good run from France early in the second all but doomed the hosts.
The French maul set up Lopez, who played in Vakatawa for the visitors' second try and a 15-point lead after the conversion.
Some substitutes were sorely needed, but France remained in control even with fresh legs on the pitch. A huge break from Fickou gave his team great positioning, but Edoardo Padovani saved the day with a superb reovery.
Italy nearly scored a try from the lineout, but Dulin cleverly got his ball under the hand, something the TMO picked up on.
The Azzurri kept pushing, but France proved deadly efficient with their chances after the break. Picamoles all but ended the match with 13 minutes left on the clock, scoring from the back of the scrum.
Eddy Ben Arous was the next man to go over, but TMO confirmed his foot was in touch as he did, erasing the points. It didn't matter much, as the Italians didn't even try to stop Dulin on his way to another try.
The home fans got a final reason to celebrate, as Esposito scored a second Italian try with time running out.
Italy will finish their Six Nations campaign in Scotland, while France host Wales.
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