🚧 Beta Version: We’re refining things - tell us what you think and help us improve!
Syncing...
Scores
FRA vs ITA
Six Nations
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
France
vs
Italy
13
FT
13
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 13 - 13
That's all we have for this one. Stay with Tribe for all your Round 4 Six Nations action which begins with the clash between Italy and Scotland from Stadio Olimpico in Rome on March 9. This is Anthony Morgan signing off.
The draw leaves France almost out of contention for Six Nations glory as they trail leaders Ireland by nine points with matches against Wales and England to come. Italy claimed a vital two points to level with Wales on three points - with their last round clash likely to determine who finishes with the wooden spoon in 2024.
France will be mightily relieved to come away with a draw after a poor second half showing with 14 men. Les Bleus had enough ball to score a handful of tries in the first half but a combination of good defence and poor handling in the red zone kept the Azzurri in the game at the break. The dismissal of Jonathan Danty for a high tackle on Ignacio Brex and the loss of Matthieu Jalibert to a leg injury didn't help France's cause despite the best efforts of Damian Penaud and Nolann Le Garrec to lift their side in the second half.
Loose forwards Ross Vintcent and Michele Lamaro were tireless for the Azzurri with strong performances at the breakdown and with ball in hand. Ignacio Brex was heavily involved in the midfield while as the match wore on the influence of Ange Capuozzo, Monty Ioane and Tommaso Menoncello was evident. Paolo Garbisi kicked well all afternoon with his only blemish being his missed penalty in the final minute.
The 49th meeting between France and Italy will go down in history as the first draw between the two countries. Italy will be disappointed to miss the chance to seal their first Six Nations win on French soil after Paolo Garbisi's last gasp missed penalty. The Azzurri's defensive resilience in the first half was pivotal as it kept them in the contest after France dominated the opening 40 but lacked the execution to put a substantial total on the scoreboard.
France and Italy have finished all square at 13-13 after a last-minute penalty miss by Paolo Garbisi prevented the Azzurri from securing a famous victory on the road. France led for the majority of the contest after Charles Ollivon scored the opening try in the seventh minute but the momentum of the match turned in the second half - with Les Bleus playing with 14 men for the duration after Jonathan Danty's yellow card was upgraded to red at the halftime break. Thomas Ramos extended France's lead to 13-3 in the 45th minute before Paolo Garbisi got it back to a one-score game 16 minutes later. Sustained attack by Italy was rewarded when Ange Capuozzo went over out wide with 10 minutes to go with Garbisi's conversion setting up a tense finish. The Azzurri appeared to have won it when Yoram Moefana was penalised for not releasing in kicking range but Garbisi was unable to make it count.
80+2'
DRAWN MATCH IN LILLE! Garbisi's penalty attempt from 33m out and 17m in on the left cannons back off the right upright. Moefana takes the rebound and zips off to the left where he is tackled into touch to bring the contest to an end.
80+2'
P. Garbisi
Missed Penalty
80'
PENALTY ITALY! The Italian defence holds firm as Menoncello puts pressure on Fickou at the breakdown. France are forced back 10m before they swing it right to Moefana who is isolated on the ground where he is penalised for holding on. Garbisi will have the chance to win the game with a shot at goal from 33m out.