France v Italy
Les Bleues produced the victory a large and expectant crowd wanted, but one or two doubts remain.
Italy still await their first win on French soil, but they finished well, crossing the line more than once.
A central question must be: why did Sofia Stefan, the captain, insist on playing a slow game? Time and again she opted for the boot on ball inside the ruck, then a delayed box-kick. Some went straight into touch, others fell into welcoming French arms for powerful counters. It all seemed so counter-productive. When she did pass the ball out, it was to forwards who were barely into second gear, not flying through at top pace to unsettle the defensive line.
Only in the last quarter, with the game already beyond reach did she alter her tactics and play at pace. The effect was immediate. But all too late.
The French under the microscope
Les Bleues had a lot to prove. Neither of their two wins had been entirely convincing. Now they responded to the deafening noise (crowd, band, fireworks) to produce some typical play: quick hands, off-loads, fast recycles, kicks into space; everything to win the crowd’s favour.
Stefan’s first box-kick resulted in a try to Nassira Kondé within two minutes. She dummied Beatrice Rigoni to cross wide out. Lina Queyroi made the conversion look simple. 7-0
Only a little knock-on close to the line prevented a second try within five minutes. For the moment the hosts were looking like world-beaters.
Now the Italians attacked more effectively. A catch-and-drive was spoiled by a knock-on, but France were guilty of a high tackle. A kick to the right corner was followed by another chip over the top by Stefan, but Pauline Bourdon Sansus countered with a devastating break to half-way. That was Italy’s second entry into France’s 22, but no points had accrued.
The Azzurre battered at the French line again, but there was a need for greater vision, to spot where the gaps might be. Their one reward came from a deliberate knock-on by Marine Ménager, and Rigoni kicked the penalty. 7-3
France responded with typical verve, they won a quick turnover, spread the ball to disrupt the defensive line, and Annaëlle Deshayes drove over the line through two attempted tackles. 14-3
Italy built another promising attack, but as Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi was held, the ball was lost forward.
On the half-hour came the first offering that all card-lovers had been waiting for. Sara Tounesi was guilty of pulling down a powerful driving maul, and Joy Neville had to show yellow. It followed a long throw-in well claimed by Emeline Gros. The French had earned this reward. Charlotte Escudero was on the end of a lovely combined move that finished under the posts. 21-3
More great play, led by Lina Queyroi, who was in commanding form, brought a try for Mélissande Llorens. She profited from a fine cross-kick. 26-3. That was the bonus point assured.
As half-time beckoned, Stefan hoisted yet another box-kick. There was a collision as the ball descended. Laura Muzzo remained on the floor, Queyroi reclaimed the ball, dummied and ran to the line. But Neville had spotted an obstruction, so the try was chalked off.
Rigoni refused the temptations of a penalty and punted to touch.
Half-time: 26-3
With Tounesi restored to action, the Azzurre attacked strongly, but couldn’t spot an opening. In response the French forced an Italian scrum error. They kicked to the corner for an attacking line- out; Escudero made a thrust for the line, but had she had two goes at a touchdown? The TMO Leo Colgan decided no. So the try stood. 33-3, and the visitors faced an uphill climb.
The crowd rejoiced. A little girl held up a plaintive card reading: “Pauline, will you swap your shirt for mine?”
But for the French team, the big question was: could they prove more ruthless over the remaining minutes than in the past? It has to be admitted, the answer was again negative. Despite good work by the replacements, who had much to prove, they managed only one more score, an excellent try by Madoussou Fall from a line-out. The Italians may have expected a drive, but she looped around the back and couldn’t be stopped. Queyroi’s conversion hit a post and she kicked the rebound. No prizes for a score by those means!
For the rest, it was the Azzurre who manufactured two tries. They attacked strongly. When at last Stefan allowed the ball to go wide, Rigoni fed a short ball to D’Inca arriving at pace on an angle to race over.
Now we found Stefan playing at pace, spreading the ball whenever possible. The result this time was a second try for D’Inca, who can be impossible to stop given this sort of ball. Why not from the start of play?
So once again the French couldn’t exploit their big lead. They must hope to find some answers at the post-match analysis.
Result: France 38 italy 15
Player of the Match: Assia Khalfaoui
Teams:
France
15 Emilie Boulard 14 Marine Ménager 13 Nassira Kondé 12 Gabrielle Vernier 11 Mélissande Llorens 10 Lina Queyroi 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus 1 Annaëlle Deshayes 2 Agathe Sochat 3 Assia Khalfaoui 4 Manae Feleu (captain) 5 Madoussou Fall 6 Charlotte Escudero 7 Emeline Gros 8 Romane Ménager
16 Elisa Riffonneau 17 Ambre Mwayembe 18 Clara Joyeux 19 Gaëlle Hermet 20 Teani Feleu 21 Alex Chambon 22 Lina Tuy 23 Morgane Bourgeois
Italy
15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi 14 Aura Muzzo 13 Beatrice Rigoni 12 Emma Stevanin 11 Alyssa D’Incà 10 Veronica Madia 9 Sofia Stefan (captain) 1 Silvia Turani 2 Vittoria Vecchini 3 Sara Seye 4 Valeria Fedrighi 5 Giordana Duca 6 Sara Tounesi 7 Isabella Locatelli 8 Ilaria Arrighetti
16 Laura Gurioli 17 Emanuela Stecca 18 Lucia Gai 19 Alessia Pilani 20 Beatrice Veronese 21 Alessandra Frangipani 22 Francesca Granzotto, 23 Beatrice Capomaggi
Officials:
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
ARs: Holly Wood (RFU) and Maria Heitor (POR) TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
