Late tries give France flattering win over Italy

PARIS - Misfiring France overturned a first-half deficit before eventually pulling clear for a flattering 37-12 victory over Italy in today's opening Six Nations match at the Stade de France.

Three penalties and a drop goal by first five-eighths Ramiro Pez had the Italians 12-8 up at halftime and dreaming of their first-ever away win in the tournament and a second against France in 27 matches.

However, as so often before, they fell away after the break, failing to add to their tally as France took control.

The hosts scored tries by flanker Yannick Nyanaga, prop Peter De Villiers, and in the last three minutes, winger Aurelien Rougerie and first five-eighths Frederic Michalak, adding to number eight Thomas Lievremont's first-half effort.

It was France's second win following their shock opening round defeat by Scotland but, as against Ireland, they struggled to stamp their authority on a game they were expected to win comfortably.

Michalak had another day to forget, in contrast to his opposite number Pez, while the only real bright spot for coach Bernard Laporte was a free-running display by fullback Thomas Castaignede in his first appearance of the tournament.

After Jean-Baptiste Elissalde landed an early penalty, Italy settled and quickly turned things round.

Pez replied from in front of the posts, landed a superb 50-metre effort and then slotted a third to earn a 9-3 lead.

France then showed a brief glimpse of their attacking talent with a terrific try in the 26th minute. Line-breaking bursts by Rougerie and Fritz set up Elissalde to launch a cross-field kick which was comfortably gathered by Lievremont, who merely had to take a step for the try.

But Elissalde missed the conversion and Pez gave the Italians a 12-8 lead with a neatly-taken drop goal.

Early in the second half France twice opted not to go for goal with close-range penalties but twice, through Rougerie and Damien Traile, sent their touchfinders too long - sparking more boos from the disbelieving home fans.

Dimitri Yachvili, on as a replacement for Elissalde, finally split the posts with a 48th-minute penalty after a good Rougerie break but then hit a post with another to leave the Italians 12-11 ahead.

Despite the blips it was a better French performance in the second half, however, and after Pez missed his first goal attempt of the day, the hosts scored their second try.

Castaignede carved through the Italian defence and unloaded to Yyanga for an easy score.

With Italian lock Carlo Antonio Del Fava in the sin-bin the French pack shoved their way over in the 64th minute, De Villiers coming up with the ball.

Italy were a spent force by then and France capitalised in the final moments with Rougerie going over in the corner and Michalak stepping his way through the middle.

"I think we didn't play well at all, though the Italians are a good team" Castaignede told the BBC.

"We dropped a lot of ball but finally we managed to win. If we want to win the next game against England we have to do much better.".

- REUTERS