France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said it’s back to the drawing board ahead of their date against Wales in Paris after Italy kicked their Six Nations hopes into touch with an impressive 23-18 win on Sunday.
Les Bleus’ last visit to Italy, in March 2011, ended in a 22-21 defeat at nearby Flaminio Stadium and handed the Azzurri their first ever Six Nations win over France.
Two years on, Jacques Brunel’s steadily improving side put in a strong, convincing display that should send future opponents rushing to study video footage.
“The grand slam is lost, not the tournament. Now we have to turn our attention to Wales before they come to Paris next week,” said Saint-Andre, who was quick to congratulate Italy’s performance.
“You have to says hats off to Italy.
“They’re 10th in the (world) rankings, they’re improving all the time and today they simply deserved to win.”
After a promising November Test series produced three wins over Australia, Argentina and Samoa, France were regarded as tournament co-favourites along with England.
But at the Olympic Stadium, and with Italy desperate to build on some strong performances of their own from November, against Australia and New Zealand, the hosts had other ideas.
Italy went 7-0 up after seven minutes when captain Sergio Parissse touched down for a try and Luis Orquera, who went on to kick ten points, converted.
France battled back on 11 minutes when Louis Picamoles scrambled over for the try, only for fly-half Frederic Michalak to miss the conversion.
It was the first of several errors that would prove costly for the visitors.
Crucially, France then spurned the chance to add another five-pointer when Wesley Fofana’s off-load to the unmarked Fulgence Ouedraogo on the right went into touch.
France fought back to take a 15-13 halftime lead after Benjamin Fall’s 33rd minute try and a conversion from Michalak, who had also scored a penalty just before the half-hour.
But the visitors ultimately failed to finish off the job when in try-scoring positions in the second half.
“We lacked in terms of precision, we gave the ball away too often and didn’t take the chances we had to pull ahead when we had the chance to,” lamented Saint-Andre.
“We had the chance to score a try through Maxime Machenaud but instead of building on that we let Italy counter.”
Orquera’s replacement, Kris Burton, provided what turned out to be the match-winning drop goal in the 68th minute.
After the stadium erupted, the Italians were ecstatic at having transformed recent promise into a result that will do wonders for their confidence in their remaining four fixtures.
“It’s a very important for us, especially as it confirms what we showed in November,” said Parisse.
“It’s important to back these kinds of performances up with real results.”
With the Scots up next for Italy at Murrayfield next Saturday, Brunel wanted to keep everyone’s feet on the ground.
“Everyone says Scotland are not a great team at the moment but they are a hard team to play against, especially at Murrayfield.”
Bananas
Guest
Twelvetrees (36) added another dimension to the English backline play. He is a must start at Number 12.
richard
Guest
Jerry @6.08pm, point taken, but for all that, the England team was pretty dysfunctional in this tourney,so I'd say the frogs fancied their chances this time around. Conversely,Argentina have regularly been a bogey team for France ( as recently as 2007).
nickyc
Guest
You maybe right about Italy v NZ. However, I saw them play each other in the 1991 WC at Leicester and even then the Azzuri ran the ABs mighty close with a late try securing a 31-21 win in a wonderfully entertaining game. The star of the game was Italian fullback Paolo Vaccari whose career was sadly wrecked by injury.
Derm
Roar Guru
You should have. He predicted Italy to win last weekend. One of the very few who did publicly.
Derm
Roar Guru
"I reckon they have a good chance this 6N. They have Wales and Ireland at home, both easily beatable at home." Really? Ireland are 13-0 against Italy in Six Nations matches to date. There was a close result in 2011, but Ireland thumped them by 30 odd points in 2009, and put 50 odd on them in 2007. Last two matches against Italy - 36-6 (2011) and 42-10 (2012). Wales, admittedly ....2 wins in Rome and a draw for Italy in the Six N. 16-24 (2011) and 24-3 (2012) victories for the Welsh. One Italian swallow don't make a summer. Scotland won't be feeling happy about meeting them next though.
Colin N
Guest
Burns was injured for the first game. Unless there's another injury or a severe curtailing of form then I doubt he will get into the squad for the rest of the tournament as that's how Lancaster does things.
jeznez
Roar Guru
DC, I thought Freedie Burns who I've only seen when he came on against your lot looked the goods. Seems Flood is ahead in the pecking order as he played on Saturday behind Farrell
dcnz
Guest
Ben S. How do you rate Owen Farrell and is there another ten out there chomping at the spot. What about Toby Flood? As a kiwi, and with the next World Cup in the UK you can bet the All Blacks are curious to who will be the English playmaker!
Malo
Guest
At least i did not listen to Spiro, never really do, England are dead certs to win the comp.
Jerry
Guest
Samoa beat Wales last year.
Ajax
Guest
Mate, agree 1000%, credit where credit is due, best team wins on the day, scoreboard doesnt lie etc. Seriously, Scots and Samoans should have gotten more credit. Didnt the Samoans get another big scalp recently? They have always been a good side, they used to be considered the "Kiwi A" side, as nearly all of them played in the NZ provincial comp.
Jerry
Guest
Semi perhaps, but given England has been France's traditional bogey side in RWC's (having eliminated them in 1991, 03 and 07) I'd imagine they wouldn't really fancy a 1/4 vs England compared to one against Argentina (or even Scotland who still had a chance of qualifying 2nd in their pool at the time).
Roarer
Guest
And Ireland.
richard
Guest
Jerry, didn't you know the French threw that game v the ab's in the WC? That was the general concensus outside NZ.You and I both know it's crap. If it's true,then it didn't do the French much good.I personally subscribe to Spiro Zavos' theory that the French taking the easier route to the final (i.e avoiding any of the SH teams) meant they didn't expend too much energy getting to the final.Contrast that with the quarter and semi the ab's had to win to make the final.And that without Dan Carter. I also agree with G.Henry that we would have won the final more comprehensively if Carter had been available.
Tigranes
Guest
Ajax the same excuse got trotted out when the Wallabies lost to Scotland and Samoa...
Jerry
Guest
Real good? Nah, pretty neutral. I do feel pretty sure I'm basing my opinion on past form and results rather than a statement I've just pulled out of my rear end, though.
kippa
Guest
Jerry I see you are looking to go at someone like a dog on a bone. Hope you feel reeeal good about it. My opinion, is they will not play poorly for a second week in a row.
Wales15
Guest
Italy are a good side. That game against France was the best i've seen them play. They're definitely progressing very well. No longer the whipping boys now. I reckon they have a good chance this 6N. They have Wales and Ireland at home, both easily beatable at home and Scotland away which I would expect the Ities to win. Italy could potentially win the 6N if not come 2nd. Who would have thought? It's good to see teams like Italy, Samoa and Argentina becoming pretty good sides. It strengthens rugby and will aid in enhancing rugby as a world wide sport.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
I see what you're saying Ajax but in all fairness, the Italians played at another level last w-e. they would have beaten (and will beat) a few other teams if they continue like this. They are just improving at every opportunity they get and any touring match in Italy will not be the ' warm up' it used to be.
Jerry
Guest
As an All Black fan, I've been celebrating wins over Ireland & Wales about as much as I would a win over Italy for about as long as I can remember.....