[2025 Six Nations] Italy vs France - 23/02/25

[dirty harry]

If Italy can negate this French pack, the French backline are a mess without the ball, and no backs to replace won't help.

Italy must contain France from scoring 5 more tries bit there's certainly a chink

 

[Duct Tape]

England need to take their next match seriously. Still might lose.

 

[dirty harry]

That's just too easy, TBP in 30 mins, and pack are totally dominant

 

[TommiG88]

Confused by Italy kicking that. About half the French team were sat waiting, they could have run it back.

French are playing furiously though with ball in hand

 

[dirty harry]

France are living offside, and absolutely dominant at the breakdown, they have the ref in their pocket, however that isn't Italys big problem...

Italy are conceding too many yards post contact, not making any, and French power is killing them.

If Italy want to get back into this they have to move the French forwards around more, their kicking game made sense, testing for weaknesses in the back 3 but I think they need to abandon that now. They need to switch to the full blitz and negate these carriers ability to make yards, stopping that lightening quick ruck speed.

 

[dirty harry]

Italy doing the opposite of what they needed to start this half, 2 poor kicks, and their defence has dropped to a drift.

 

[OllyM97]

This is weak from Italy - a step back into their bad old ways.

 

[OllyM97]

For Italy to be a credible team going forward, this sort of garbage performance needs to be rooted out. 47 points after 50 minutes at home is unacceptable. It's like a training game for France. As good as they've been, it's embarrassingly easy.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Quesada and Borthwick at the tournament after party

You beat France? You?
Sure, you didn't?

 

[TommiG88]

That's a penalty try

 

[dullonien]

 

[TommiG88]

Or not haha

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hope Italy get one more
It's a spanking but when they've got going on attack they've looked very good

 

[OllyM97]

The leniency with Dupont from referees is a disgrace, that was a clear high shot on Garbisi as he went over the line.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Jesus that was nice

Just everything is going perfectly to hand

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The leniency with Dupont from referees is a disgrace, that was a clear high shot on Garbisi as he went over the line.

Yeah but it's a non-dangerous seatbelt so a penalty only and was in the action of scoring not after the try so you can't restart with a penalty for it, and the try was scored so you can't give a PT

 

[dullonien]

OMG. France are amazing to watch in full flow. Insane!

 

[dullonien]

Ireland are a very good side, but it's nuts that this French side haven't lifted the trophy the last 2 years.

I suppose that's their only current weakness, and it's a big one - they have the odd game where they just don't fire like they should. England 2 weeks ago a good example where they should have run out comfortable winners and still be on for the slam.

With their power up front, and insane quality behind this French side should be winning slams and WC's, anything less is a massive underperformance.

 

[Wasps92]

Unfortunately for Italy I think a large part of that was a French response to losing to England. They've had a fortnight of being absolutely savaged by the French media and wanted to take all their frustrations out today.

 

[dirty harry]

Ireland are a very good side, but it's nuts that this French side haven't lifted the trophy the last 2 years.

I suppose that's their only current weakness, and it's a big one - they have the odd game where they just don't fire like they should. England 2 weeks ago a good example where they should have run out comfortable winners and still be on for the slam.

With their power up front, and insane quality behind this French side should be winning slams and WC's, anything less is a massive underperformance.

You said it, the power and size up front will always provide a platform, and that backline is wild.

It's a funny old game, and interesting what territory and pressure can do to a team