The Blues fought a long battle until the last seconds to finally defeat the Italians at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday.
It is the shortest victory for the French team against Italy in seven years. It is also the match where the French have been the most undisciplined (18 penalties conceded) since the start of the Galthié era. The Blues went for an improved success (29-24) on the lawn of the Stadio Olimpico, in Rome, at the end of the first day of the Six Nations Tournament, Sunday February 5. But it was tough.
Sometimes inspired, sometimes rough, especially undisciplined, the defending champions fought against an opponent who confirmed their progress at the highest level. As in 2022, France begins its campaign with a victory against Italy, and brings its record series to 14 wins in a row.
To get this first victory of the year, the French team relied on its strengths. An excellent start to the match, first, under the encouragement of many French fans, punctuated after barely five minutes by a try from Thibault Flament, after already three good French balls.
A level hinge, then. Associated for the 22nd time in the blue jersey, a record, Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack both made a good copy, especially in the first period. The captain was omnipresent to scrape the balloons and sow confusion among the Italians. The Toulouse opener delighted with his long passes on foot, decisive on the tries of Ramos (20th) and Dumortier (27th), scorer for his first international.
A mind of steel, finally, embodied by Matthieu Jalibert, who came into play at the end of the game when the Blues were behind, came to register the test of deliverance (66th).
Weighed down by their indiscipline
But past these clearings and the five points of the victory, the sky was not really all blue for the French. Punished by their indiscipline, a recurring problem in the French ranks, they offered enough penalties to keep the Italians in the game. Upon returning from the locker room, they conceded a penalty try, accompanied by a yellow card for Charles Ollivon. In numerical superiority, Italy even took the opportunity to take control on the hour mark, under the fury of the public, after a new penalty conceded by the French.
Until the end, and the last transalpine touch, the Blues trembled, heckled by their opponents and the whole stadium.
An indiscipline that will absolutely have to be corrected in Dublin, against Ireland, from next weekend, for the first big shock in this Tournament. The XV of Clover, which impressed against Wales on Saturday, is more than ever a great challenger to the Blues in the quest for a double Grand Slam.