France floor Italy

France floor Italy

21 Mar 2009

France finished their Six Nations campaign with a seven-try 50-8 rout of Italy in Rome.

Although there can be no comparison between the level of opposition, France lifted their performance exponentially after their diabolical showing against England last week. They dominated every facet of play and their forwards laid the platform for their backline to play an expansive game.

Italy simply had no response to France’s physicality and as a result were always second best at the breakdown, where France turned over on countless occasions. In addition, it didn’t help Nick Mallett’s charges that they were struggling at scrum time – a facet of play they’ve relied on heavily to remain relatively competitive with superior opposition.

Robbed of that attacking platform and with goal kicker Andrea Marcato struggling in windy conditions, one failed to see where their points would come from.

The match was effectively over by half-time, with tries by Sebastien Chabal, Francois Trinh-Duc and Maxime Medard, as well as two penalties by Morgan Parra, taking France down the tunnel with a 25-3 lead.

It got worse immediately after the break when Cedric Heymans capitalised on an error by Mauro Bergamasco to compound their pain. Italy botched a series of good opportunities and France made them pay, scoring through William Servant.

Italy did pull a try back through the sole Italian stand out, Sergio Parisse – a brilliant move which featured some deft handling. But that was the height of the joy as Medard grabbed his second and Julien Malzieu finished the mauling.


11 Comments

  • 1.tokolosi: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 14:54 pm

    1st!

  • 2.tokolosi: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 14:54 pm

    i hope france win but i also hope they lose to teach them a lesson for playing like poepals one week and champs the next

  • 3.church - like chch but pronounceable: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 15:03 pm

    How can France lose

  • 4.Osama the desert seagul: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 15:07 pm

    #3 church – like chch but pronounceable:

    Hide the garlic :-)

  • 5.Osama the desert seagul: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 15:08 pm

    Ah they’re playing the Mayonaise. Stirring stuff.

  • 6.Veltie: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 15:43 pm

    afternon boys. feel an upset is on the cards at twickenham this afternoon….

  • 7.Osama the desert seagul: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 15:58 pm

    Mullett going back to WP next year? Or was that Iceland or Jamaica?
    Teichmann was the force behind the Boks, never Mullett.

  • 8.Veltie: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 16:03 pm

    mallet is sharp.cant blame him for the kak players in italy at the moment. they really are pisspoor.scotland might look for a new coach if they lose today

  • 9.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 16:49 pm

    #8 Veltie:

    You are right. Italy has arguably the best no 8 in world rugby today, but unfortunately that is where it stops.

  • 10.Osama the desert seagul: Reply to this comment
    21 Mar 2009, 17:52 pm

    Bye-bye the Mullet pie took your experience to Italy but the players were dry
    And now all you can do is scratch and cry, singing why, me oh why, should have listened to Teichman when my karma ran dry….

  • 11.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2009, 02:10 am

    Bring back John Kirwan. Nick Mallett is a big-talking blow-hard whose limitations have been totally exposed.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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