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 13-6 Italy, 65 minutes
A final Italy front row change, and a return to action ahead-of-schedule for Simone Ferrari, who isn’t necessarily that close to full fitness but required with Gonzalo Quesada dealing with something of a tighthead crisis.
He’s stable at his first set-piece entanglement and France play up into Italy’s half, before turning the ball over.
France 13-6 Italy, 64 minutes
Italy stress the edges of the French defence, first sweeping to the right, then curving to the left. Yoram Moefana’s hand blocks a pass, with the officialss satisfied that the replacement was committed to the tackle, and advantage is over by the time Federico Ruzza fumbles on the floor on the opposite touchline.
France 13-6 Italy, 62 minutes
France are just starting to lose their discipline. An excellent carry from Michele Lamaro puts Italy on the front foot and Romain Taofifenua fails to roll away.
PENALTY! France 13-6 ITALY (Paolo Garbisi penalty, 61 minutes)
From bang in front, the new Toulon ten knocks through three points. It’s beautifully poised entering the final quarter.
France 13-3 Italy, 60 minutes
And France are again penalised, Julien Marchand bumping into an Italian ruck and losing his feet. Paolo Garbisi will narrow the margin.
France 13-3 Italy, 59 minutes
A scrum penalty to Italy! Dorian Aldegheri appears to have nudge on Mirco Spagnolo, but his angle is unsatisfactory to referee Christophe Ridley, who has had a decisive and rather decent debut with the whistle so far.
France 13-3 Italy, 58 minutes
It feels like Italy are getting closer and closer to cracking France open. There’s space on the right for Tommaso Menoncello and Ange Capuozzo veers in that direction, but a forward pass ends the escapade.
France 13-3 Italy, 57 minutes
Two more Italian changes. Off go Danilo Fischetti and Giacomo Nicotera, who both settled in after a shaky start and made fine defensive contributions (a match-high 16 tackles for the hooker); on come Mirco Spagnolo and Gianmarco Lucchesi.
France 13-3 Italy, 55 minutes
Almost! A clever chip from Thomas Ramos finds green grass beyond the Italian defensive line, and but for a bad bounce the ball might have been his. Ange Capuozzo just about gets there ahead of Nolann Le Garrec.
But here come France! Le Garrec lifts the tempo as Ramos and Yoram Moefana attack the line with purpose. A whistle...Italy’s way - Charles Ollivon in at the side and retreating with a rueful shake of the head.
France 13-3 Italy, 54 minutes
Martin Page-Relo’s final involvement is a pressure-relieving thump out of his own 22. A good way to finish for the scrum half, who is replaced by Stephen Varney, but has put his hand up for thet starting shirt on a longer term basis.
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