Italy vs France LIVE rugby: Six Nations 2023 result and reaction as Italy narrowly miss out on famous win

Right, here we go - Italy in white with navy shorts and shoulders, France in familiar royal blue. And we’re off!

Matthew Carley of England has the whistle this afternoon, with Wales’ Ben Whitehouse his TMO. The pair worked together in London Irish’s win over Harlequins last week as a bit of a Six Nations tune-up - I thought the officials generally had a good day all round yesterday, with Paul Williams particularly impressive at Twickenham.

A slightly discordant rendition of “La Marseillaise”, though it does serve to highlight a good number of French fans full of throat and out in force to support their team.

“Il Canto degli Italiani” is sung more pleasantly. The Italian front rowers drape hands across hearts and roar out the final lines.

The players emerge from the Stadio Olimpico tunnel, up the steps and out into the Italian afternoon. Ah, perhaps optimism about the crowd was slightly misplaced - it looks like there are plenty of empty seats in Rome.

Still plenty of noise as Michele Lamaro strides out confidently.

“It’s been a very good two weeks down in the south of France,” Edwards tells ITV. “We’ve got a lot of work done. We are not underestimating our opponents - we know what they’ve done recently.”

[No team has ever defended achieved back-to-back Grand Slams?] “That’s the challenge. That’s what we like.

“[Italy have] threats all over the pitch and they have great team effort. They’ve got some very good jackalers at the ruck to slow down our ball and we are under no illusions of the challenge today. We want the attitude and desire of a challenger.”

Paolo Garbisi thinks the conditions will suit his side but I don’t France will mind a fast track given the number of outstanding offloaders in the team.

“I think and I hope the team are ready. I saw a team that was really positive this week, I think we’ve prepped well. It is a beautiful day here in Rome and I hope we can do it.

“France is a really unbelievable team, they’ve proven that in the last few years. Breakdowns are going to be key today. In defence, if they get quick ball it is very hard to stop them.

“We want to play more with the ball in hand, have more fun with the ball. The conditions are perfect for us today. [A win in Rome] would be amazing.”

And, just because we can, it’s probably worth another look back at Italy’s last involvement in this competition. Incidentally, with no Paolo Garbisi or Leonardo Marin, I think Edoardo Padovani is ostensibly Italy’s fly half cover behind Tommaso Allan this afternoon.

We are expecting a good turnout at the Stadio Olimpico this afternoon. The Italian rugby ecosystem is a slightly curious one, with the sport much more popular in the north of the country but the national stadium in the capital further south. The autumn saw a couple of very successful trips to outposts in Tuscany and Liguria but Kieran Crowley likes having these prestige Six Nations fixtures in Rome, with the hope that more success for his developing side can help energise more support for the sport throughout the country.

Suits and white trainers - it’s a familiar look for France’s strutters, who bring a certain style to proceedings on and off the pitch. It really is a massive year for this team, which remains remarkably young, but they wear the pressure rather well.