France 34 - 17 Italy: Marseille move suits victorious French
Paul Gabrillagues, Hugo Bonneval and Mathieu Bastareaud scored the hosts’ three tries as they won for the first time in nine matches.
A first-half penalty try and a late score from Matteo Minozzi put Italy on the board but they rarely looked like mounting a serious challenge as the hosts dominated throughout.
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Hide AdFrance settled early nerves inside the Stade Velodrome when Gabrillagues scored his first international try in the corner in the sixth minute after a lineout maul, however Maxime Machenaud sent his tricky conversion attempt just wide.
Italy were given a penalty three minutes later and, after opting to kick for touch, they drove over the line and referee Wayne Barnes awarded the visitors a penalty try for a collapsed maul.
A couple of blockbusting runs from wing Remy Grosso got the home crowd on their feet but eventually came to nothing before a Machenaud penalty handed France an 8-7 lead in the 29th minute.
France were awarded another penalty on the brink of half-time and Machenaud made no mistake, extending his side’s lead to 11-7.
The home side started the second half brightly and after Lionel Beauxis missed a drop-goal attempt Machenaud scored another penalty to put France 14-7 in front.
Italy reduced the deficit in the 50th minute when Tommaso Allan slotted over a straightforward penalty after Sergio Parisse had been tackled off the ball.
The visitors went on the attack, with Sebastian Negri bursting towards France’s 22, but they conceded a penalty and the hosts were then able to come forward.
And a well-worked try gave France breathing space in the 60th minute as Bonneval went over after good work by Bastareaud and Grosso in the build-up.
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Hide AdAfter converting the try, Machenaud then kicked two further penalties to put France 27-10 ahead.
France scored another try in the 73rd minute when Bastareaud powered over to finish a good move which started with Marco Tauleigne’s break forward. Francois Trinh-Duc converted to send France 34-10 in front.
Italy hit back with a late try through Minozzi in the 79th minute, with Carlo Canna adding the extras.