After their 33-8 Six Nations defeat against France at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, here’s how the Italy team performed on Sunday.
15 Ange Capuozzo: Returned to the Azzurri side and showed great awareness to pounce on a French mistake close to their try-line before scoring Italy’s only try. Capuozzo continued to shine on attack as the match progressed and finished with a team-high 66 metres gained which included 13 runs, one clean break and two defenders beaten but it was all in vain and he was replaced late on by David Odiase. 8
14 Louis Lynagh: The Benetton speedster was in the thick of the action from the outset as he made some powerful carries and was solid under the high ball but conceded three turnovers. Was also kept in check by France‘s defence and was yellow carded late on for a professional foul on defence. 4
13 Tommaso Menoncello: Showed his class with his attacking ability as he made some powerful carries which tested France’s defence and eventually gained 26 metres after making two clean breaks and beating one defender. Menoncello also did his bit on defence as he made eight hits and won a crucial turnover. 7
12 Leonardo Marin: Took the fight to Les Bleus with some good attacking moments and eventually finished with 33 metres gained from one clean break and a defender beaten. He was less influential on defence as he made six tackles and missed three of those. 6
11 Monty Ioane: Although he was constantly looking for work, the experienced flyer was not effective on attack and was yanked off after 68 minutes with Paolo Odogwu taking his place. Ioane also battled on defence. 5
10 Paolo Garbisi: The Toulon playmaker had some good moments during the game’s early stages but became less influential as the match progressed and then came alive again when Italy were chasing a consolation try in the game’s latter stages. Finished with a joint match-high two turnovers won and made 11 tackles. 5
9 Alessandro Fusco: Not his best day at the office as his decision making and option taking was not at its best while he also conceded three turnovers. Was eventually replaced by Alessandro Garbisi on the hour-mark. 4
France land timely blows to floor Italy in Six Nations as Grand Slam dream remains on track
The forwards
8 Lorenzo Cannone: The 25-year-old has been on of Italy’s better players in this year’s Six Nations and came to the fore with another solid all-round performance in this encounter. Although he made little inroads with ball in hand, he emptied the tank on defence where he finished with a match-high 15 hits and won one turnover. 7
7 Manuel Zuliani: Although he gave his all for the entire match, Zuliani was less influential than he was against Ireland last week. He put in a big shift at the breakdowns where he won a turnover and made nine tackles while he gained 16 metres with ball in hand. 6
6 Michele Lamaro (c): The Azzurri skipper put his body on the line on defence as he completed nine tackles but made little impact in other areas as he was anonymous as a ball carrier and at the breakdowns. 5
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5 Andrea Zambonin: He put his side under pressure when he spilled catching a routine kick off just before half-time and breathed a huge sigh of relief when Gaël Dréan was tackled into touch at Italy’s corner flag after France launched an attack from the resulting scrum. Won his fair share of lineout balls but anonymous as a ball carrier and on defence. 4
4 Niccolò Cannone: Proved a willing ball carrier and did what was expected of him in the lineouts while he also got through plenty of defensive work and finished with eight tackles made. 6
3 Simone Ferrari: The experienced front-row continued to catch the eye with his impressive scrummaging and his dominance at the set-piece resulted in his direct opponent Jean-Baptiste Gros being replaced just before half-time. Ferrari also did his bit on defence before Giosue Zilocchi replaced him in the 54th minute. 7
2 Giacomo Nicotera: Was a willing ball carrier but his lineout throw-ins were not of its usual high standard as he was blown up for crooked throw-ins on several occasions. That proved fatal on the half hour-mark when Nicotera missed his jumper and France gathered possession before launching a counter-attack which resulted in a Thomas Ramos try. Replaced by Pablo Dimcheff early in the second half. 4
1 Danilo Fischetti: Like Ferrari, Fischetti also put in a big shift at scrum-time as Italy were awarded some penalties at the set-piece but they failed to capitalise on that especially in the opening half when they were dominating that department. Did what was expected of him in other areas before Mirco Spagnolo replaced him in the 54th minute. 7
Replacements: The Azzurri’s starting line-up were competitive for long periods but ultimately could not get the better of their counterparts and it was a similar story for the visitors’ replacements. The likes of Odogwu and Alessandro Garbisi brought plenty of energy to the cause in the game’s latter stages but the French had little trouble in keeping them in check while the forward replacements had little influence in the grander scheme of things. 5