Italy vs France LIVE rugby: Six Nations 2023 result and reaction as Italy narrowly miss out on famous win

Italy 24-29 France: Italy push the reigning grand slam champions all the way but Matthieu Jalibert’s try sees Les Bleus win

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Ethan Dumortier scored a try on his France debut as the Les Bleus kick-started their Six Nations title defence with a hard-fought 29-24 bonus-point victory over a fiesty Italy at the Stadio Olimpico.

Thibault Flament, Thomas Ramos and Matthieu Jalibert also got on the scoresheet for the Grand Slam champions, while Ange Capuozzo dotted down for Italy and Tommaso Allan added four penalties.

The visitors were dealt a second-half scare when Charles Ollivon was sent to the sin bin and Italy were awarded a penalty try, at one point taking a second-half lead through Allan.

Les Bleus fended off the threat and will look to extend their winning streak to 15 when they travel to Ireland next weekend.

Relive all the action from Italy vs France below:

Six Nations 2023: Italy vs France

• Italy narrowly miss out on famous win over France in the final match of Round 1 of the 2023 Six Nations
• Reigning grand slam champions Les Bleus pushed all the way but Jalibert’s try helps them win 29-24 in Rome
• Resurgent Italy continued to show imprvement after an impressive 2022
• FULL-TIME! ITALY 24-29 France
• 67’ - TRY! Jalibert goes over after great work to put France back on top (ITA 24-29 FRA)
• 62’ - PENALTY! Allan slots fourth penalty to give Italy the lead (ITA 24-22 FRA)
• 51’ - PENALTY TRY! Alldritt hauls down a rolling maul for a penalty try and is sent to the sin-bin (ITA 21-22)
• 32’ - TRY! Brilliant acrobatic finish down the blindside from Capuozzo (ITA 11-19 FRA)
• 27’ - TRY! Dupont’s pinpoint cross-field kick finds debutant Dumortier for the score (ITA 6-19 FRA)
• 19’ - TRY! Ramos dots down after Capuozzo outmuscled by Penaud in the air (ITA 3-12 FRA)
• 5’ - TRY! Flament charges down Varney’s box kick and canters over (ITA 0-7 FRA)

[5 February 2023 16:34 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! Italy 24-29 FRANCE (Matthieu Jalibert try, 67 minutes)

Clinical from France! Just like that, the visitors score and lead.

Lovely rugby. Gael Fickou is taken high but intelligently releases as he hits the deck, enabling him to regain his feet and go again.

The Italian defence scrambles but is undone by two offloads, first Charles Ollivon on to Romain Taofifenua and then the replacement second row to Matthieu Jalibert after drawing three to his hulking frame.

A superb take and offload from Taofifenua, a nifty step past the last defender from Jalibert and the conversion means France lead by five.

[5 February 2023 16:33 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy 24-22 France, 66 minutes

Another penalty against Italy, this time at the maul. Jalibert punts France down into the Italian 22.

Edoardo Padovani, match winner in Cardiff last year of course, replaces Pierre Bruno. Defensive duties for the back three veteran for now.

[5 February 2023 16:32 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy 24-22 France, 65 minutes

Space on the left now for Italy. Can they find it? Not quite! A low pass to Pierre Bruno and the stooping wing can’t clutch it at his shins.

Italy are then penalised for killing the ball. France penalty.

Another change for the visitors from a stony-faced Fabien Galthie - Romain Ntamack off, Matthieu Jalibert on. Manuel Zuliani replaces Sebastian Negri in the Italian back row.

[5 February 2023 16:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy 24-22 France, 64 minutes

Free kick to Italy and off they go, ball spreading quickly to the right and into the hands of Ange Capuozzo. No time for daring, poked intelligently ahead for his chasers.

Damian Penaud gets back to cover and clear but Italy throw the lineout immediately!

[5 February 2023 16:29 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy 24-22 France, 62 minutes

France’s bench are tasked with making an impact - Gaetan Barlot replaces Julien Marchand and Sekou Macalou is on in the back row, too.

A Stephen Varney box kick bounces favourably for Italy after Thomas Ramos misjudges the flight. Knocked on from French hands - Italy scrum six metres inside their own half.

[5 February 2023 16:27 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! ITALY 24-22 France (Tommaso Allan penalty, 62 minutes)

It’s there. Italy lead France with 18 minutes left.

[5 February 2023 16:27 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy 21-22 France, 60 minutes

An offside penalty to Italy, eminently kickable. Charles Ollivon is about to return but he may do so with his side in arrears...

[5 February 2023 16:25 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy 21-22 France, 60 minutes

Oh dear. Italy win the lineout this time but a pod of forwards get in a muddle, Danilo Fischetti looking aghast as he knocks on Stephen Varney’s pass.

[5 February 2023 16:24 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy 21-22 France, 58 minutes

Giacomo Nicotera is having a strong ten minutes. He anchors over the top in ideal jackal position, earning both ball and a penalty for his efforts.

Lorenzo Cannone threatens to rampage right up the centre of the French defensive line but is just about halted. Back for the penalty, which is kicked up the right touchline.

[5 February 2023 16:23 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Missed penalty! Italy 21-22 France, 57 minutes

Thomas Ramos drives for goal from 40 metres out...pushed to the right.