Italy v France Match Thread

[Sugarlump]

First topic message reminder :

Bonjour and Ciao.

After the best opening two matches of a 6N tournament for many years I'm particularly looking forward to what our counterparts from the continent can produce today.

France will be looking to crush the Azzurri after the upset two years ago while Italy will be looking to prove that the result was no mere fluke.

Too many potential French match winners to mention them all (TV coverage about to start) I'll update the teams in a mo. Hoping to see a big game from Masi and for Benvenuti to continue his progress and there's debut for lock Francesco Minto.

Lets hope it's another cracker!

Italy Team

Andrea Masi, Giovanbattista Venditti, Tommaso Benvenuti, Alberto Sgarbi, Luke McLean, Luciano Orquera, Tobias Botes, Sergio Parisse (captain), Simone Favaro, Alessandro Zanni, Francesco Minto, Quintin Geldenhuys, Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lo Cicero.

Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Alberto De Marchi, Lorenzo Cittadini, Antonio Pavanello, Paul Derbyshire, Edoardo Gori, Kristopher Burton, Gonzalo Canale.

France Team

Huget; Fofana, Fritz, Mermoz, Fall; Michalak, Machenaud; Picamoles, Dusautoir, Ouedraogo, Maestri, Pape (capt), Mas, Szarzewski, Forestier. Replacements Kayser, Debaty, Ducalcon, Taofifenua, Chouly, Parra, Trinh-Duc, Bastareaud

[VinceWLB]

That's what playing in the rabo does for italian rugby, great to see.

[wales606]

That's what playing in the rabo does for italian rugby, great to see.

It has certainly improved their fitness and handling skills.

[Cari]

There you go, French coach just said "...all due respect to Wales, we need to win today wasn't acceptable..." Oh gawd. I'm nervous already.

[wales606]

There you go, French coach just said "...all due respect to Wales, we need to win today wasn't acceptable..." Oh gawd. I'm nervous already.

It's ok, we will shake their confidence a bit more by beating them at home

Remember, Wales will want revenge too, we are the only team to have lost at home.

[mystiroakey]

There you go, French coach just said "...all due respect to Wales, we need to win today wasn't acceptable..." Oh gawd. I'm nervous already.

come on cari its just talk..

it was allways gonna be tough- but lets not think it will be harder after there weaknesses have been exposed!

[stub]

Well done to Italy - a fantastic result finishing off a brilliant weekend of rugby. Don't you just love this time of year?

[Cari]

True Mystiroakey...I know that next week I'll be a bag of nerves between our match and the Ireland one, but the Scottish one will also be exciting. I can't wait to be honest...

[Brian Moores Twin]

What a great weekend of rugby, I wonder When England will be releasing the Grand Slam celebration DVD?

[AlastairW]

What a great weekend of rugby, I wonder When England will be releasing the Grand Slam celebration DVD?

You didn't hear? came out last week

[Brian Moores Twin]

What for Pre order?

[nathan]

Oh bless, the Italian team are still walking around the stadium...Parisse is hugging TV people!

And people have the cheek to call the English condescending...

[Brian Moores Twin]

Did Wales do a lap of shame after yesterdays game?

[majesticimperialman]

This game will surely be known as the best game that Italy as produced against the French.

Well done Italy. Well done.

[Sugarlump]

I think in terms of overall team performance and fitness to maintain the levels of intensity, that's the best I've ever seen Italy play. Take a bow Pro12

[Morgannwg]

Wow. Just wow. And now France will surely beat Wales by an even bigger score next week? I think Howley better quit his post now because come next sunday I'm almost certain the welsh public will start sending him death threats.

[GunsGerms]

What we have learned from the Heineken cup and opening weekend of the 6N, all Rabo nations must come together and remain strong v the APL and their selfish proposals. A strongItaly has just lit up the 6N. This wouldnt be possible if their teams werent given automatic HC entry. This should be protected at all costs!!!!

[GLove39]

What we have learned from the Heineken cup and opening weekend of the 6N, all Rabo nations must come together and remain strong v the APL and their selfish proposals. A strongItaly has just lit up the 6N. This wouldnt be possible if their teams werent given automatic HC entry. This should be protected at all costs!!!!

[stub]

Wow. Just wow. And now France will surely beat Wales by an even bigger score next week? I think Howley better quit his post now because come next sunday I'm almost certain the welsh public will start sending him death threats.

I'm not sure that the French will be that confident next weekend. I'm hoping the Welsh can compound their problems...

[Brian Moores Twin]

Its not just the APL by the way I also think the French aren't too happy, they just don't have the stomach for a showdown.

[Morgannwg]

Wow. Just wow. And now France will surely beat Wales by an even bigger score next week? I think Howley better quit his post now because come next sunday I'm almost certain the welsh public will start sending him death threats.

I'm not sure that the French will be that confident next weekend. I'm hoping the Welsh can compound their problems...

France have backlashed us after losing to Italy before. France heading for the spoon is what we're all hoping for, but realisticly it's only Wales heading for that particular wooden object right now. I just know the Howler is going to start with the exact same XV . I also hope. If some rotation is introduced and the guys play that second half rugby throughout we might be in with a chance.

[UlstermaninGlasgow]

What we have learned from the Heineken cup and opening weekend of the 6N, all Rabo nations must come together and remain strong v the APL and their selfish proposals. A strongItaly has just lit up the 6N. This wouldnt be possible if their teams werent given automatic HC entry. This should be protected at all costs!!!!

+1000 and why bonus points should never be involved in the 6N...

[GunsGerms]

Agree. Bonus points are a tertible idea. Six nations is already the biggest, best show in rugby.Why change it?

[bsando]

[LeinsterFan4life]

Its not just the APL by the way I also think the French aren't too happy, they just don't have the stomach for a showdown.

The French have said that they want to keep the HC, but they do want a new deal.

[emack2]

Wow,thats torn up the Formbook,Italy are no pushovers for anyone now.
The 6Ns are wide open now nothing can be taken for granted now.

[Knackeredknees]

If people are trying to claim its all down to the rabo that Italy won, are they now going to blame the Rabo for wales and Scotland losing?

[stub]

Wow. Just wow. And now France will surely beat Wales by an even bigger score next week? I think Howley better quit his post now because come next sunday I'm almost certain the welsh public will start sending him death threats.

I'm not sure that the French will be that confident next weekend. I'm hoping the Welsh can compound their problems...

France have backlashed us after losing to Italy before. France heading for the spoon is what we're all hoping for, but realisticly it's only Wales heading for that particular wooden object right now. I just know the Howler is going to start with the exact same XV . I also hope. If some rotation is introduced and the guys play that second half rugby throughout we might be in with a chance.

You looked great in the 2nd half and could have turned the result around but for some heroic Irish defence. As you say let's hope that Howley learns from what worked!

[Morgannwg]

The fact they beat France is probably more to do with a French coach and the passion of the italians. Italian teams in the Rabo and Europe is essential for the future of Italian rubgy.

[Brian Moores Twin]

If people are trying to claim its all down to the rabo that Italy won, are they now going to blame the Rabo for wales and Scotland losing?

That's a fair point!

I just don't get why people don't accept that rugby is a simple game if you play it correctly, Italy are learning that, Wales France and Scotland just didn't turn up for large periods of the game at this level you can't expect to win if you play like that.

[mystiroakey]

Wow,thats torn up the Formbook,Italy are no pushovers for anyone now.
The 6Ns are wide open now nothing can be taken for granted now.

yeah apart from England GS'ing it offcourse

[GunsGerms]

If people are trying to claim its all down to the rabo that Italy won, are they now going to blame the Rabo for wales and Scotland losing?

Wales lost to a Rabo team so that actually counts as a moral victory for the Rabo :-)

[Guest]

was very good to see Italy win...would be good to have a 6 nations, where all 6 sides are actually competing with each other, and not one side getting battered every week!

[kingjohn7]

If people are trying to claim its all down to the rabo that Italy won, are they now going to blame the Rabo for wales and Scotland losing?

Wales played another Rabo nation, had to be a Rabo loser.

[Sugarlump]

If people are trying to claim its all down to the rabo that Italy won, are they now going to blame the Rabo for wales and Scotland losing?

The Italians did play smart rugby and with a composure we have rarely seen from them in the past. I don't think it's beyond possibility their competing in the Pro12 has helped.

I also don't think it's a reason to re-ignite the 'English are nasty meanies' debate either, that's for other threads and there will be plenty of opportunity for English bashing later. Why don't enjoy the result for what it is... The end of the best opening weekend of the 6N ever (that I can remember!)

[Irishhoneymonster]

Fantastic win congratulations Italy! The better team won and I even feel Owens was a bit harsh on Italy at times. Also, it would have been an absolute travesty if France had stolen that game.

Italy look good I have to say, strong scrum as you'd expect but also very strong in defence and good at the breakdown. But the big thing for me is that their backline and open play has really come on in last few years and they showed some great penetration in getting over the gain line. Enterprising Rugby with minimal errors. Things are really coming along nicely.

As for France, well it's just a case of which France turns up. I know it's a cliche and some people here may not agree but it has always been the same with France there is no getting away from that fact. It's a psychological thing/mindset and now they will be under pressure from their media and I am more than half expecting a backlash next week. God help Wales!

[Wi11]

Italy could easily win their next two games. That would mean that regardless of what happened to them at Twickenham, they would be playing their final game with a chance of winning the championship. And if that were the case, who would bet against them getting one over on Ireland?

[sportform]

Respect to Italy. I thought they'd give the French a game but didn't expect them to win once they went behind. Great bit of defending at the end.

Definitely think they could do well in Scotland next time and think it would be good for the Six Nations and Italian rugby if they could get two or three wins on the board.

[Knackeredknees]

If people are trying to claim its all down to the rabo that Italy won, are they now going to blame the Rabo for wales and Scotland losing?

Wales lost to a Rabo team so that actually counts as a moral victory for the Rabo :-)

Ok I'll give you that one

[rodders]

Amazing win by Italy! One of the best 6N games in years! Incredible stuff to hold out at the end there!

That Parisse v Picamoles clash was worth watching for alone, 1-0 to Parisse for me, awesome performance!

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