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Italy captain Sergio Parisse shouldered the blame for their late defeat by France on his enormously broad shoulders after the No 8 was guilty of wasting a shot at victory with an ill-advised drop goal effort in the dying seconds at the Stade de France.
With Italy trailing 23-21 as time expired, the Azzurri constructed a series of phases to move into kicking range, although replacement fly-half Kelly Haimona had yet to drop back into the pocket as the visitors pushed forward in hope of a first Six Nations victory in Paris.
Having already scored a try of his own, and proving again why he will go down as Italy’s greatest player when he finally retires, Parisse must have thought that the stage was set for him to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The problem is that, New Zealand’s Zinzan Brooke aside, No 8 forwards are not renowned for their kicking, and Parisse’s hasty effort was an ugly snatch that let Les Blues off the hook.
“It was a split-second decision that I may have made a little too quickly,” Parisse said after the match. “I was in the right position, so I chose to take the drop goal opportunity myself.
“I took my responsibilities, as I always do. I could just as well have succeeded. I did not, that’s it, my apologies. Maybe we could have kept playing to get a penalty.”
Parisse stressed that had his 40-metre effort landed, everyone would have revelled in what a great decision it had been, although in a competition of such narrow margins, that argument is likely to fall on deaf ears given the magnitude of the error.
Show all 30 1 /30France 23 Italy 21 player ratings France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Maxime Medard: 5 out of 10 Such an exciting player, but struggled to get involved here. He was safe under the high ball and had a few nice touches, but a player of his quality needs to get himself involved more.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Hugo Bonneval: 6 out of 10 Bonneval scored a crucial try for France when Italy could have begun to pull away. However, his name was barely mentioned in the first half and, like Merdard, needs to work harder off the ball to ensure opportunities come his way.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Gael Fickou: 6 out of 10 Fickou played a vital role in France's second try, deciding to take a penalty quickly which caught Italy completely off guard. The centre has pace, size and all the attributes require to be a world class centre. He would have had a higher grade had he managed to get his hands on the ball more often.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Jonathon Danty: 7 out of 10 Danty was one of four players making their debut today and he can come away extremely pleased with his efforts. The centre ran his lines effectively - with an incredible leg drive - and played a huge role in Bonneval's try, expertly drawing in defenders before releasing the winger.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Virimi Vakatawa: 8 out of 10 France's man of the moment. Despite not playing the 15 man game in two years, Vakatawa showed exactly why Guy Noves is so keen to have him involved. His try illustrated the dazzling footwork he possesses and the barnstorming run he went on in the lead up to Bonneval's try showed his explosive power. Of all the debutants on show today, he stole the show.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Jules Plisson: 8 out of 10 Plisson was arguably France's best player on the day. His kicking was pinpoint and he got his backline firing. The kick that put France back into the lead was 54 metres out andover by the right touchline, I know it's the first game of the tournament, but it's already likely to be a contender for kick of the tournament.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Sebastien Bezy: 6 out of 10 Bezy was another one of the four on debut and kicking aside had a very good game. Despite it being his first time playing for France, Bezy was organising his forwards and sniping around the breakdown like an established international. Looks to have a good relationship with both his pack and Plisson - he could be a mainstay under Guy Noves. Would have a higher grade had it not been for his troubles from the kicking tee.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Eddy Ben Arous: 5 out of 10 In the first half Italy were dominating the scrum and the troubles seemed to stem with the French front three. Ben Arous gave away two penalties and only carried the ball three times, improvements on those numbers are needed if he wants to stay in this France team.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Guilhelm Guirado: 7 out of 10 It was a real captains performance from Guirado today. He threw himself into everything, making an impressive 15 tackles, and made the right decisions when awarded a penalty. Furthermore he won all 11 of his lineouts showing he has the technical skills to compliment his outstanding work ethic.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Rabah Slimani: 6 out of 10 Like Ben Arous, Slimani had a rather uneventful day at the office. He only carried the ball twice and gave away a penalty at the scrum. In order to unlock the full potential of their young backline, France need to set a solid platform at the scrum and Slimani has certainly done this better in past matches. Will look for a big improvement next week.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Paul Jedrasiak: 5 out of 10 Jedrasiak had a solid day in the French second row, making seven tackles as well as carrying the ball on eight occasions. He was one of France's main options at the lineout, claiming four throws. Solid but not spectacular from the 23-year-old.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Yoann Maestri: 5 out of 10 Like Jedrasiak, Maestri got a lot of work done but it was nothing that would grab the headlines. The second row made seven tackles, missing three, and was rather anonymous throughout.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Damien Chouly: 7 out of 10 One of France's standout performers. As well as scoring a try, Chouly carried the ball eight times, made six tackles and claimed four lineouts. The flanker was constantly harrassing Gori and deserved to be on the winning team.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Wenceslas Lauret: 7 out of 10 Another back row player that starred for Guy Noves. With Louis Picamoles forced off the pitch early on, it looks like Lauret felt he had to replace the big number 8. He made 10 carries and nine tackles - exactly what is expected of any openside flanker in this competition.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Louis Picamoles: 4 out of 10 Hard to judge as he was forced out of the action early in the first half. On his day he's one of the best number 8's in Europe, but looked to suffer a injury to his leg. Was seen on crutches later on in the match and will hope it's nothing that could end his tournament.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings David Odiete: 6 out of 10 A quiet day for Italy's fullback who struggled to get into the action. He was generally solid under the high ball and in defence, but will want to get more involved as an attacking weapon next week.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Leonardo Sarto: 6 out of 10 Another incredible performance by the Italian captain. He carried the ball 21 times and thoroughly deserved to be on the winning side. On his day the Italian captain is the best number 8 in Europe and he showed that today. Despite this, he was incredibly unlucky to be penalised for Plisson's penalty kick but didn't take the right decision when he chose to attempt the drop goal at the death. It must be so frustrating for a player of such talent to be so accustomed to losing with his national team.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Michele Campagnaro: 7 out of 10 One of Italy's standout players. He just did all the basics incredibly well, taking the ball to the line and ensuring that no one got past him in defence. Was incredibly unlucky not to score in the first half but is a player to watch as the tournament goes on.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Gonzalo Garcia: 7 out of 10 Like Campagnaro, Garcia didn't try to over-complicate what he was doing. He was dangerous in attack and showed on numerous occasions that he isn't afraid to take the ball to the line. He won't be the man to make a 80 metre break for the tryline, but is a vital part of this Italian backline.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Mattia Bellini: 6 out of 10 Like a number of other players in this game, Bellini simply struggled to get himself into the match. He made eight carries but only managed to gain 23 yards and was barely mentioned throughout - he needs to get the ball in his hands more often.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Carlo Canna: 7 out of 10 With the ball in hand, Canna was a joy to watch. He took the ball to the line, often took the right option and ensure his passing was precise. His grade would be higher if only he didn't have such a nightmare with the kicking tee in the first half, but he's certainly one to keep an eye on as the tournament progresses.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Edoardo Gori: 6 out of 10 The scrum half had a very good game but like Canna struggled from the kicking tee. He martialed his forward pack well and his kicking was a good attacking weapon - nearly paying dividents in the first half as Sarto was unfortunate to knock on with the tryline beckoning. Italy have struggled for a scrumhalf since Alessandro Troncon, but today they may have found the right man for the job.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Andrea Lovotti In the first half Italy were dominating at scrum time and Lovotti must get a lot of credit for that. He seemed to be at every ruck that took place and made eight tackles, which is a high number for a front row forward.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Omel Gega Gega was accurate with his throwing, finding his man at the lineout on seven occasions. Furthermore Gega was a menace at the breakdown and was making a constant nuisance of himself.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Lorenzo Cittadini: 7 out of 10 Like Lovotti, Cittadini played a huge role in the Italian dominance at the scrum. The prop didn't give away a single penalty all game and like his front row colleagues was a constant threat at the breakdown.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings George Biagi: 5 out of 10 Biagi was largely anonymous throughout this fixture. The second row was an ever present at the breakdown, but failed to make a real impact on the game - illustrated by how he only made a single carry.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Marco Fuser: 5 out of 10 It was an almost identical performance from Fuser. He just couldn't get himself into the game, only making six tackles and two carries. He claimed three balls at the lineout, but frankly for a second row, those numbers simply aren't good enough.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Francesco Minto: 7 out of 10 It was an all action performance from Minto as he got himself involved in both attack and defence. The flanker carried the ball 10 times, made 10 tackles and secured a turnover for his side. He showed himself to be a vital cog in Italy's back row.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Alessandro Zanni: 6 out of 10 Like Minto, Zanni made 10 tackles and was a constant threat at the breakdown. However he didn't have the same effect attacking, only three carries, which is why Minto ends up with a higher score.
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France 23 Italy 21 player ratings Sergio Parisse: 9 out of 10 Another incredible performance by the Italian captain. He carried the ball 21 times and thoroughly deserved to be on the winning side. On his day the Italian captain is the best number 8 in Europe and he showed that today. Despite this, he was incredibly unlucky to be penalised for Plisson's penalty kick but didn't take the right decision when he chose to attempt the drop goal at the death. It must be so frustrating for a player of such talent to be so accustomed to losing with his national team.
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Italy have beaten France twice in recent years, but their 2011 and 2013 successes both came in Rome and a win in Paris would have represented their greatest result since joining the tournament in 2000.
“I am disappointed, because I obviously meant to make that drop goal,” Parisse added. “When it works, it’s great; when it doesn’t, people will always say it wasn’t the right choice.
“The one who takes that responsibility has to face the good consequences when he succeeds and the bad ones when he fails.
“Kelly Haimona would probably have had a better chance to make that kick – the ball actually flew past him before getting to me.
“We probably should have had one more phase to put Kelly in position. Maybe we could have managed to get a penalty but I made a decision, that’s it.”
Italy will need to put the disappointment behind them as swiftly as Parisse has as they return to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday to face England, a team they have never beaten in 25 years of competitive matches.
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