Fly-half Luciano Orquera kicked 10 points and Kris Burton dropped a match-winning goal as Italy belied their status as Six Nations also-rans to stun tournament co-favourites France 23-18 at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
France came into their opener buoyed by three morale-boosting wins over Australia, Argentina and Samoa in November, but under pressure to make a solid start, having finished a mediocre fourth in last year’s edition.
Adding to coach Philippe Saint-Andre’s task was knowing that on their last outing in Italy, in March 2011, they suffered a 22-21 defeat.
With Italy showing progress in their own November test campaign, notably against New Zealand and Australia, France came to the capital ready for a physical encounter.
Instead, the hosts eschewed the errors for which they have become known and added their own brand of expansive, flowing rugby to frustrate France throughout a thrilling encounter.
“You have to says hat’s off to Italy,” said Saint-Andre. “They’re 10th in the (world) rankings, they’re improving all the time and today they simply deserved to win.
“We were lacking in terms of precision, we gave the ball away too often and didn’t use the opportunities we created to pull ahead when we could have.”
Italy coach Jacques Brunel was made to sweat for the remainder after Burton, a 64th minute replacement for Orquera, gave Italy a 23-18 lead in the 68th minute.
But the Azzurri, showing discipline in defence as France threatened in the final 10 minutes, held them off to secure a second consecutive Six Nations win almost a year after beating Scotland.
With the Scots up next for Italy at Murrayfield, Brunel said it will soon be time to keep the emotions in check.
“The team has made a lot of progress in recent years and today we gave a good image of our rugby, and showed we can play with character,” he said.
“We’ve worked a lot on our team and a lot on our game and I liked a lot of what I seen today.
“But now we have to look forward. Everyone says Scotland are not a great team at the moment but they are a hard team to play against, especially at Murrayfield, and last year they gave a lot of teams problems.”
Orquera set up Italy’s opening try when he darted through the French defence to off-load to skipper Sergio Parisse who touched down on five minutes, and France replied with a scrambled Louis Picamoles try on 11 minutes.
France began to find their stride and went ahead via a Benjamin Fall try before Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni touched down from a superb Orquera superb ground pass.
The conversion gave Italy a 20-18 lead and minutes later the stadium erupted when Burton sent the decisive drop goal through the posts from 25 metres.
Sam Starr
Guest
Totally agree with you and its only a matter of time till they beat England and Ireland and contend for the the six nations trophy and maybe upset AUS or SA. I think its also helped them having teams in the heineken cup and the celtic comp. It means they have tough competition week in week out which i think goes along way to making a team more competitive and successful.Italy also have had the benefit of players in the French top 14 and the English competition again this has week in week out competition.I think they deserve to either host RWC 2023 or 2027 by then they should at least make the top 8.Good luck to them
Bakkies
Guest
Rankings are relevant when coaches are off contract or on the chopping block. They are crucial for RWC seeding too.
Dadiggle
Guest
Never under estimate the predictability of stupidty
Sircoolalot
Guest
If the other tier two Euro countries start improving i wouldn't mind seeing a Euro rugby cup every 4/2 years
Jerry
Guest
2-10 can beat each other, sure but form shows that 2 is more likely to beat 10 than vice versa. If no one ever lost to a lower ranked team the rankings would never change - they're not perfect, but they're not meaningless.
Wales15
Guest
So Aus win the RC and leap frog the AB's who have beaten them most times. Does that make Australia better than NZ? I don't think so. Okay you refer to Wales. They came 4th at the world cup which indicates the 4th best team, but end up 8th because they played more games than teams like England or Ireland and lost that semi. Ranking is irrelevant because it has been said time and again that 2-10 can beat each other. Foxsports rugby pundits have claimed that.
Harry
Guest
Go and look up Australia V South Africa Bloemfontine 2010 and tell me if that puts you to sleep you clown. After that watch Scotland V England 2012... You'll be in a Coma after 5 minutes
The Battered Slav
Guest
Hopefully both!! More likely Wales than Scotland at this stage, seeing as they haven't won a game of rugby since what seems like the 1970's...
Jerry
Guest
Er...Lithuania isn't even close to being the tallest country in the world. It's not even in the top 10
richard
Guest
Being of half Italian descent,I'm proud of the Azzurri. Here's hoping they can claim a few more scalps - Wales or Scotland perhaps?
Hightackle
Guest
Youngs was the best half as far as Lions go, followed by Murray and Care imo. The people on that show are a bit bias I would say.
Matt
Guest
Apparently this game was also broadcast live on National television. So, along with a huge crowd at the Olympic stadium, a very spirited and ambitious performance from the Azzuri and a try to Castrogiavanni it was an incredibly successful day for Italian rugby. Brunel has them playing a complete style game for the first time ever. It was evident when I watched them from the stands against the AB's last year that Italy is now attempting to add width and backline skill to their raw power. It suits Parisse, it suits Gori, it suits Orquera and it suits the great young backs like Benvenutti, Iannone and Venditti that they are bringing through. And most importantly it is now a team that can genuinely inspire more widespread support and participation. Finally the Azzuri look comfortable as a Top 10 rugby team and really deserving member of the 6 Nations. Great opening weekend of rugby. It's still a game heavy on short runs and big contact, but it's passion filled and emotional to watch. And there were some real moments of skills in all 3 games. It'll take a very wealthy team to see the tournament expand however. I don't think Georgia will offer enough financial clout to be brought in and carried for a decade as the Azzuri were. Maybe Spain or Russia in a decades time?
Parisien
Guest
I had a feeling Italy might score an upset win but its the manner in which they achieved it that draws admiration. They successfully disrupted France's scrum and lineout, they won the contact zone, out-aggressed the French forwards, but then also showed adventurous and intelligent play in the backs who ran hard and fast at the spaces that they created. The French appeared caught out and surprised by the speed of the Italians and their defensive line was often out of place and too slow to re-set. Their conditioning appeared suspect, as if certain players ate too much foie gras over Christmas and New Year! Mermoz in particular looked like he has overly beefed up and I won't start on Bastereaud. Dusautoir is not back to form after his injuries, and Michalak looked off the pace. I suspected they might be slow starters after their autumn success, but they now find themselves chasing the others. I like Picamoles - he got bull-dozed by Parisse for a try but then gave back the same in the war of the 8s, but Parisse had a massive game as did Orquera. I did chuckle when PSA after the match said the French would be pulling out the spiked helmets this week, presumably a reference to WW1 - it will be a long tough week for them but I don't think they can afford to revert to trench warfare. It was a great weekend of rugby with three good matches. Ireland versus England promises to be a season highlight, as well as England-France, and France - Ireland, while Italy will fancy their chances against both Wales and Scotland and might come away with three wins this year.
Matt
Guest
Totally agree Ben. I could where PSA is coming from if the match was played in Cardiff or Edinburgh. But to play that kind of team in Rome seems a little silly. The French relied on Michalak making miracle plays and a simple battering Ram approach. In the end the Italians just kept getting up to make simple tackles and the Les Bleus had no answer. It also seemed wasteful to leave Parra on the bench for most of the game, as his generalship and option taking was needed to take some of the burden off Michalak. I also don't understand the point of leaving Fofana out on the wing. Every time he get's a touch he breaks or frees his arms for the offload. He should get as many touches as possible. Having said that, the French still blew some big opportunities through impatience and I still felt the French could have torn the game apart at any stage, if they'd only woken up to their poor tactical choices.
Hightackle
Guest
Ranking is irrelevant? No its an indication of how good a team is but I can understand why a Welsh fan would say that. Are they still in the top 10?
Hightackle
Guest
Yeah those Euro countries are gonna be AFL powerhouses too Johnno.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
If you pick a tight five with two 4 locks and you're not dominating the contact zone then you will struggle because there is only one way you can play and so you become predictable. Added to that that none of the tight five are especially good ball carriers. Also, the lock replacement is another lump 4 lock. Compare the way the England tight five played to the way the French tight five played. PSA is living in cloud cuckoo land. He's turning France into the Springboks.
Bakkies
Guest
I don't think there was much wrong with his selections. Nyanga should have played. France were simply outmuscled and Italy played really well. PSA is at least giving his players stability by sticking by the same team. He might need to add Harinordoquy to give them another lineout option.
Wales15
Guest
Did I state the RC lacked rivalry? No I stated that the 6N has more. I would think the rivalry between Wales/ England/ Scotland and Ireland is a heck of alot more than NZ/ Aus. Why? Because there is greater history between the countries. Not 200 years. Interesting though, that the 9th, 10th and 12th teams have either beaten the top 3 (NZ aside) or pushed them close over recent years. Ranking's irrelevant. Valleys? I am not from the Valleys mate.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Great win. This is when PSA starts to look like the 2nd reincarnation of Laporte. He can moan about player depth all he likes and player fatigue, but his selection policy is antiquated and far too rigid. Italy were great value for their win and it's been a great start to the tournament.