Six Nations: France 34-17 Italy
Six Nations: France 34-17 Italy
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| Six Nations: France 34-17 Italy |
France concluded their unsuccessful run with Associate in Nursing ultimately snug win in Marseille to continue Italy's Six Nations misery.
The hosts - enjoying a Six Nations home match faraway from Paris for the primary time - wasted innumerable probabilities before eventually golf stroke away a wearying European country.
With centre Mathieu Bastareaud excelling on his come back, France ran in 3 tries to win for the primary time in 9 games.
Italy have currently lost a record fifteen straight Six Nations matches.
Conor O'Shea's aspect were to bear at half-time however had no answer to France within the last half, United Nations agency incomprehensible many probabilities to choose up a fourth try to a bonus purpose, before full-back Matteo Minozzi's late consolation compete European country.
Bastareaud
After defeats by eire and Scotland in their gap 2 games of the tournament and players born from the team following "inappropriate behaviour", Jacques Brunel's 1st success as France coach was preponderant.
His side, while not a win in eight games, were disjointed occasionally, however eventually delivered.
Bastareaud, United Nations agency had came from suspension once creating a discriminatory comment whereas enjoying for Toulon, was key.
The powerful centre systematically crossed the gain line to allow his aspect momentum and fast ball.
Italy junction rectifier once their early penalty try to might have done once more within the last half once, with France four points up, Sebastian Negri stony-broke through.
But the duvet defence hauled the flanker to the bottom and 3 minutes later dramatist Bonneval was sent over once sensible work by Bastareaud and wing Remy Grosso.
France's strength exhaustive told within the final quarter as their replacements came off the bench and European country tired with Bastareaud burrowing over from shut vary.
Italy area unit currently baby-faced with the prospect of a 3rd sequent wood spoon, whereas France can relish the prospect to upset European nation in Paris in their next match on ten March.
What they aforesaid
Italy coach Conor O'Shea: "I'm pleased with the fight, we tend to we tend tore taking a pounding however we scrapped to the tip. once you make known that several penalties, you're in hassle however you saw ambition to the tip.
"This may be a long, hard road. we've got to boost and that we can flip the corner. You return here getting ready to win however it'll take some days to digest. {we can|we'll|we are going to} grow and grow and grow and that we will have the victory.
"We ne'er aforesaid we might win grand slams however we tend to area unit operating arduous to create USA a robust rugby football country."