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France 23-21 Italy
NEW head coach Guy Noves was spared an early embarrassment as France came from eight points behind to beat Italy 23-21 in the opening match of the Six Nations.
France had won all eight previous Six Nations matches between the teams at the Stade de France, but for long periods a ninth was in doubt, despite a revelatory try-scoring debut from Fiji-born wing Virimi Vakatawa.
With five minutes remaining in Paris the Italians led. Jules Plisson’s long-range penalty ultimately broke their hearts and denied Jacques Brunel’s side a famous victory, with Italy captain Sergio Parisse missing a last-gasp drop-goal attempt.
France’s tries came from Vakatawa, Damien Chouly and Hugo Bonneval, with Italy’s responses from Parisse, winning his 115th cap, and Carlo Canna.
Despite the win, France were far from convincing. The 62-year-old Noves will need to pep up the French performance significantly if they are to trouble Ireland on the same pitch next Saturday.
