France v Italy LIVE: Six Nations 2024 result and reaction after visitors come agonisingly close to victory
The Azzurri are searching for their first victory of the tournament while Les Bleus hope to build on their win over Scotland
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Paolo Garbisi struck the post with a potential match-winning penalty as Italy narrowly missed out on a famous Six Nations victory over France in Lille.
With the scores level and the clock dead, Garbisi lined up a shot at goal from the left that would have given Gonzalo Quesada his first win as Italy boss.
But having been rushed into his attempt with the shot clock running down after the ball fell off his tee, Garbisi’s flighted effort curled against the right-hand post, rebounding away to ensure France held on for a 13-13 draw.
The hosts had been profligate in a first half they dominated but the game tilted after Jonathan Danty’s dismissal just before the interval.
The France centre was initially shown a yellow card for his head-on-head collision with Juan Ignacio Brex, but an upgrade to red on review in the TMO bunker gave Italy confidence that they could fight back to secure a significant win over the pre-tournament favourites.
Ange Capuozzo’s score in the corner and a fine Garbisi touchline conversion set up a shot at glory, but the fly half was denied by the woodwork as Italy came agonisingly close.
Relive all the Six Nations action below, plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
France 13-13 Italy, 80 minutes
Any French infringement in this area would give Italy a shot at victory. Something of a stalemate, the hosts going nowhere, Italy not contesting heavily for fear of conceding territory. France can end it if they want, but play on with the clock dead.
PENALTY ITALY! MANUEL ZULIANI DRAWS A HOLDING ON CALL AND PAOLO GARBISI WILL HAVE A SHOT AT GLORY!
France 13-13 Italy, 78 minutes
Penalty coming! France will have at least a chance at three. Or will they? Advante appears to be over as Lucchesi makes amends with an outstanding jackal turnover.
Two minutes left. Paolo Garbisi plays it cool, booting upfield...and just about avoiding kicking out on the full! France lineout possession inside their own half with Garbisi nary a foot away from a potentially costly error.
France 13-13 Italy, 77 minutes
A lineout misfire at the worst time! Gianmarco Lucchesi is a superb talent but he has struggled with his darts in this campaign, and he can’t connect with his jumper!
And Damian Penaud capitalises, a careening canter up the right touchline to move France within scoring range.
France 13-13 Italy, 75 minutes
France can’t make anything of their attack, but Italy can’t quite escape again. Five minutes left - Italy’s scrum feed on their own ten-metre line. It’s tense.
What a scrum from Italy! Simone Ferrari and Mirco Spagnolo dismantle a seven-man French drive, with the hosts opting to send a back-rower out into midfield. Into France’s half they go.
France 13-13 Italy, 73 minutes
The home crowd lift the noise, knowing their side are in bother here. Leonardo Marin covers across brilliantly to collect a Damian Penaud chip, but he and Paolo Garbisi can’t extricate themselves - a knock-o and France’s scrum 30 metres out, wide on the right.
TRY! France 13-13 ITALY (Ange Capuozzo try, 70 minutes)
And Ange Capuozzo dives over in the corner!
Superb! That’s a sensational Italian score, Tommaso Menoncello with the intial bust from his own 22 and then outstanding composure shown deep in French territory. Gianmarco Lucchesi is an unlikely first receiver but the hooker shows off his considerable skillset, timing his pass nicely for replacement centre Leonardo Marin.
Marin slaps away Charles Ollivon and gets his arms free, alley-ooping over Damian Penaud’s attempted block for Capuozzo. A gleeful dive, and the conversion is there - the scores are level in Lille!
France 13-6 Italy, 69 minutes
Brilliant from Italy! They attack that rejigged French midfield and cut it right up the centre, Stephen Varney arriving in support and keeping the movement going. Juan Ignacio Brex wins the gainline with his carry, too - into France’s 22 they go...
France 13-6 Italy, 68 minutes
France maul up the right, making 20 metres but eventually running out of coal and stokes. The engine loses steam and it’ll be Italy’s scrum just inside their own 22.
France 13-6 Italy, 67 minutes
Penalty France! Mirco Spagnolo puts Dorian Aldegheri under pressure but can’t quite keep his feet as he tries to turn the screw.
France 13-6 Italy, 66 minutes
Nearly an intercept! Nolann Le Garrec is a shrewd defender and reads the play perfectly, stepping into the passing lane but not quite able to gather cleanly. The nippy scrum half might have gone the distance, you know...
Anyway, Italy’s scrum dead centre, 35 out. And a debut for France: Esteban Abadie has been excellent for Toulon this season and replaces club chum Charles Ollivon, whose early score is currently the difference between the two teams.
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