Match Report – France 13 – 13 Italy

A late penalty kick rebounds off the post as Italy miss the chance to defeat France in the Six Nations; France had been reduced to 14 men in the second half after Jonathan Danty received a red card; The two teams drew 13-13 after a dramatic match

Paolo Garbisi reacts to his missed penalty with the clock red

Paolo Garbisi hit the post with a penalty with the clock red as Italy narrowly missed out on a famous win over France, having to settle for a 13-13 draw in the Six Nations.

France had been reduced to 14 men for the second half of the match and were subjected to intense pressure by the Italian underdogs.

France’s Thomas Ramos is brought down. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)

The French had opened the scoring when Charles Ollivon grounded the first try of the match which Thomas Ramos converted. He then kicked a penalty to take the French lead to 10-0.

France threatened the Italian try line further. But despite stretching their opponents’ defence they squandered chances before the break.

That allowed Italy to keep in touch. Despite running the ball they could not breach the try line.

But Jonathan Danty was sinbinned for a high tackle, which after a review was upgraded to a red card. Martin Page-Relo then got Italy on the scoreboard landing a long-range penalty.

Italy’s Martin Page-Relo kicks a penalty (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)

That compounded France’s problems after losing fly-half Matthieu Jalibert to an apparent leg injury.

While another penalty kick from Ramos restored a 10-point lead for France, Italian fly-half Garbisi struck back with a penalty of his own to bring his side within seven points.

Charging through the middle, Italy spun the ball through the backs’ hands with winger Ange Capuozzo leaping over the line to score a try.

Garbisi stepped up send a brilliant conversion sailing through the posts to level the score at 13-13.

And in the final seconds, Italy had a penalty to win the match. But the ball fell off the tee and Garbisi had to replace it and rush his kick, agonisingly hitting the post with no time left on the clock.

What’s next?

Italy will next head to Murrayfield to play Scotland on Saturday March 9 in the fourth round of the championship (2.15pm kick-off GMT).

Ireland will be also be in action on March 9, travelling to face England at Twickenham (4.45pm kick-off GMT).

Wales will host France at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday March 10 in Round 4 (3pm kick-off GMT).

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