Rome, Mar 24: Italy saved themselves from a rout against France with a determined second half performance before losing their Six Nations match 53-27. The hosts looked tentative in the first half in Rome on Sunday (March 23), allowing the French to run in five tries in a performance that was reminiscent of their early capitulation against England two weeks ago. French centre Damien Traille consistently troubled the Italians making breaks and scoring a brace of tries in the first half. Serge Betsen, Aurelien Rougerie and Frederic Michalak also scored tries before the break. However John Kirwan's side came out stronger after the break and inspired by tries by fullback Mirco Bergamsco and centre Paolo Vaccari finished strongly against a French side who appeared to ease off in the closing stages.


Bureau Report