Italy v France Match Thread

[Sugarlump]

First topic message reminder :

Bonjour and Ciao.

After the best opening two matches of a 6N tournament for many years I'm particularly looking forward to what our counterparts from the continent can produce today.

France will be looking to crush the Azzurri after the upset two years ago while Italy will be looking to prove that the result was no mere fluke.

Too many potential French match winners to mention them all (TV coverage about to start) I'll update the teams in a mo. Hoping to see a big game from Masi and for Benvenuti to continue his progress and there's debut for lock Francesco Minto.

Lets hope it's another cracker!

Italy Team

Andrea Masi, Giovanbattista Venditti, Tommaso Benvenuti, Alberto Sgarbi, Luke McLean, Luciano Orquera, Tobias Botes, Sergio Parisse (captain), Simone Favaro, Alessandro Zanni, Francesco Minto, Quintin Geldenhuys, Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lo Cicero.

Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Alberto De Marchi, Lorenzo Cittadini, Antonio Pavanello, Paul Derbyshire, Edoardo Gori, Kristopher Burton, Gonzalo Canale.

France Team

Huget; Fofana, Fritz, Mermoz, Fall; Michalak, Machenaud; Picamoles, Dusautoir, Ouedraogo, Maestri, Pape (capt), Mas, Szarzewski, Forestier. Replacements Kayser, Debaty, Ducalcon, Taofifenua, Chouly, Parra, Trinh-Duc, Bastareaud

[mystiroakey]

Oh dear..

Well done italy..

[Golden]

Brilliant stuff!!!!!

[wales606]

SUPERB!

[Cari]

[Barney McGrew did it]

They've only gone and done it. Favourites my shiney metal arris.

[GunsGerms]

Well deserved. Italy were absolutely awesome.

Only England, Ireland or Italy can get a slam now.

[mystiroakey]

6n's rugby is the best!!!

You watching SH!!

[eirebilly]

Well played Italy, i thought that the French would stuff them today but what a match by them and what an opening weekend of the 6N

[Brian Moores Twin]

Grand Slam decider next week then!

Ire v Eng.

[majesticimperialman]

A great win for ITALY, One of the best games ITALY have ever produced.

WALES FOR THE WOODEN SPOON NOW. Surely.

[wales606]

Best opening weekend ever

I would be better if Wales had a real comeback and won

[Red Right]

What a result. Well done Italy!!!

[George Carlin]

Wonder who the poor feicers are who have to play Italy next.

Er.

[GLove39]

Well done Italy
Now please don't trun up at Murrayfield next weekend...

[LeinsterFan4life]

Speechless... What a win, what a performance. Hope Italy push on from this.

[wales606]

Italy travel to Scotland next week.

I don't think Italy have ever manage 2/2 to start the 6Ns. Scotland beware.

[GunsGerms]

Grand Slam decider next week then!

Ire v Eng.

I'm not expecting any slam this year by anyone.

[EnglishReign]

France remain a complete enigma

[wales606]

Grand Slam decider next week then!

Ire v Eng.

I'm not expecting any slam this year by anyone.

If Ireland win next weekend, I think they will be odds on for a slam.

[Cari]

Wonder who the poor feicers are who have to play Italy next.

Er.

What about Wales, playing France in Paris? They'll be well pished off.

[Duty281]

Oh. My. Word. Well done Italy, what defence and tenacity they showed. Parisse was magnificent, as was Orquera before he came off. Blimey, Italy will fancy their chances next week as well against Scotland, 2 out of 2? Now the Slam is between England and Ireland, unless Italy do the impossible!

[mystiroakey]

Grand Slam decider next week then!

Ire v Eng.

yep!!

said it from the start!

all this overrating france rubbish was making me abit sick tbh!! They cant just flick a switch and become a consitant team that can be up for every game!

but not taking anything away fromITALY!!!

[Cari]

Grand Slam decider next week then!

Ire v Eng.

I'm not expecting any slam this year by anyone.

If Ireland win next weekend, I think they will be odds on for a slam.

I'm backing Ireland...it's BODs last tournament, he wants it bad.

[Ospreydragon]

Well done, Italy! A great win. Well played.

[GunsGerms]

Grand Slam decider next week then!

Ire v Eng.

I'm not expecting any slam this year by anyone.

If Ireland win next weekend, I think they will be odds on for a slam.

You'd think alright but we rarely beat France home or not.

[George Carlin]

They totally deserve a better trophy than that pile of old scrote.

[Cari]

I'm going on the Red Button....

[wales606]

Italy for the slam! :P

[tigertattie]

Fair play to Italy.

Maybe they will get taken more seriously by the world at large.

[funnyExiledScot]

Massive win for Italy. Congratulations and enjoy it whilst it lasts. I hope that's only 6 days.....

[kingjohn7]

Grand Slam decider next week then!

Ire v Eng.

Italy for the slam, playing beautiful rugby

[Cari]

Oh bless, the Italian team are still walking around the stadium...Parisse is hugging TV people!

[funnyExiledScot]

If Scotland had defeated France, I'd sanction an open top bus around Edinburgh frankly!!

[wales606]

16 tries in 3 matches. Fantastic. Take that 4Ns!

[bsando]

Amazing win! Well done Italy! this could be a really exciting 6 nations this year, if Italy beat Scotland next week who knows what will happen.

The big difference between today's victory and the one 2 years ago is today Italy were the better team from start to finish. There game plan was terrific and the players were really up for it. Hardly any handling errors and fantastic offloading and support, especially on the fringes (all black style).

I am very very nervous about next weeks game at murrayfield!

Hee Ta Lia!!!

[Cari]

wales v Scotland could be interesting...they just showed the table and it's now:

England
Ireland
Italy
France
Wales
Scotland

[bsando]

::

Italy for the slam! :P

[Cari]

Italy will take so much confidence from this now. They won't be afraid of anyone especially at home.

[Brian Moores Twin]

Scotland will beat Italy

Not too sure about Wales though.
The French are going to be fired up next week

[George Carlin]

It's worth pointing out that on top of everything else, Parisse is also dating (and presumably doing other things to) a former Miss France.

[Duty281]

Looking at the stats, Italy had more possession (54%), more territory (53%), had more turnovers, were better on the line-out, and scored an equal amount of tries. Scotland away, then Wales at home. 3 out of 3?

[George Carlin]

Wonder who the poor feicers are who have to play Italy next.

Er.

What about Wales, playing France in Paris? They'll be well pished off.

Oh yeah. The backlash will genuinely be terrible and Wales will inevitably cop it.
The French press will jump up and down on their viande et deux veg.

[Cari]

It's worth pointing out that on top of everything else, Parisse is also dating (and presumably doing other things to) a former Miss France.

A French person with taste? I don't believe it!

[wales606]

Should Parra and Trinh-Duc have started, it could have been a different game.

[Cari]

George...sadly I think you're right.

I think one thing that cost France today is playing certain people out of position (Michelak, Trinh-Duc).

[AlastairW]

What an absolute cracker of a game!

This is one of the best, if not the best, opening weekends to a 6N I have ever seen. Electric Rugby, run away score lines, huge fight backs, unexpected results and a bucket load of tries!

I'm exhausted!

[wales606]

If Wales pull off a spectacular victory next week, it could be between France and Scotland for the spoon - that would shake things up a bit.

[Notch]

Italy vs Ireland on the last day, Grand Slam Decider.

You heard it here first!

[Guest]

massive congratulations to Italy!!! Much deserved win!

[wales606]

Italy vs Ireland on the last day, Grand Slam Decider.

You heard it here first!

I'd have to back Italy for that one, if they manage to win at Twickers

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