France v Italy LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction as France reach quarter-finals
France 60-7 Italy: Les Bleus reach the quarter-finals with their biggest ever win over Italy
France flew into the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup with a dominant display against Italy that saw them score 57 points with hardly a reply in Lyon.
Damian Penaud was the first to go over the line, scoring the opening try two minutes into the match as France began as they meant to go on. A penalty kick right in front of the sticks was dispatched by Thomas Ramos before Louis Bielle-Biarry took control of the ball from a kick off Penaud, shuffled inside leaving two defenders on the floor, and was brought down for a try to send France further ahead.
Ramos then scored and Penaud dove over for his second try to secure a bonus point before half-time. Simone Ferrari also believed he had pulled some points back for Italy only for his try to be chalked off by a TMO review.
After the restart, France continued to dominate. Tries from Matthieu Jalibert, Peato Mauvake, and Yoram Moefana took them over the 50 mark before a second for Moefana put the icing on the cake. A consolation try for Italy’s Manuel Zuliani will not take the sting out of a second bruising defeat as the Azzurri exit the World Cup at the Pool stage.
Relive all the action as France host Italy in the Pool A decider plus get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips here:
TRY! France 52 - 5 Italy
70 mins: Italy get their first try! Manuel Zuliani gets over the line despite the best efforts of three defenders clinging onto him. All of their efforts in the build-up led to that score, the first real momentum we’ve really seen so far in Lyon.
France 52 - 0 Italy
70 mins: Italy starting to string together some more positive passages of play now as we enter the final 10 minutes.
TRY! France 52 - 0 Italy
63 mins: Jalibert throws the pass over to Yoram Moefana (who’s only just come off the bench) and he scores in the corner! Excellent under pressure again from Jalibert to deliver the pass, expertly finished by Moefana who has a smooth run to the line. Melvyn Jaminet converts.
France 45 - 0 Italy
59 mins: Italy have a lineout in the 22 as Thomas Ramos is penalised for contact in the air. France then win the penalty in the phases that follow and Italy weren’t able to make use of the possession they briefly had.
TRY! France 43 - 0 Italy
54 mins: Peato Mauvaka splinters away from the maul after the lineout and crosses the line! A well-executed try from the hooker for France’s sixth.
France 38 - 0 Italy
51 mins: Italy have the possession from the lineout but Fickou steals the ball in the phases that follow and runs down the pitch. France then earn the penalty and go to the corner.
France 38 - 0 Italy
50 mins: France give the penalty away for not releasing, Italy to the corner.
CONVERSION! France 38 - 0 Italy
47 mins: Ramos gets the two points!
TRY! France 36 - 0 Italy
46 mins: Jalibert spots a gap and weaves his way to the line after an initial dummy pass! France with 12 phases of attack to break down the Italian defence. The fly-half scores with excellent footwork to the delight of the home crowd.
Italian defence all over the place, France really wearing them down.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments