Italy v France, 03/02/13

[Patchey]

Does Orquera really play for Zebra? He's been very good so far, much better than you'd expect for a guy who plays 10 for the club at the bottom of the Pro 12.

 

[McTallshort]

Italia!

 

[kesh]

Where's Parra? On the bench, what's the crack with that?

 

[Tony Manx]

Machenaud and Michalak are the flavours of PSA's month.....will not be long until the other guys come on!!

Game on!!

 

[Big Ewis]

did. You. see. that. try THAT WAS CONCLUDED BY FALL ?!!!
pure french flair.

Some scary holes in our defense, and silly mistakes on attack, but overall from this first half:
* Italy (with the fresh memories of such a good 60min VS NZ, and a penalty away from trying/beating Australia) have finally arrived officially in the true Tier 1 Rugby world. I'm LOVINg their attacking appetite (hadn't seen them this smooth with their execution EVER), the defense is world class, the scrum is strong enough to push off the French scrum on occasion...niiiiiiice !!
* France: the flair's there, but is spoiled by occasional miscommunication. As they play together, they'll click and french flair WILL be seen this tournament as it has already with that one try.

 

[nickdnz]

God I hate Jonathan Davies as a commentator. Wish he'd shut up..

 

[Amobokoboko]

Good first half by the Italians.

 

[Tony Manx]

God I hate Jonathan Davies as a commentator. Wish he'd shut up..

......or at least saying something that adds rather than detracts!

 

[Groundhog]

Orquera is having a great game considering how inconsistent he's been for Italy before now (still can't tackle). Parisse is really showing his class, but the French can cut the Italians open so easily.

 

[kesh]

First half was chaotic, French look dangerous when they have the ball. Seems to me to be a question of how long the Italians can keep this intensity. Wth is going off-loading in your 22? I knew not to do that when i was 7.

 

[Tony Manx]

Just got me wondering...how much do you reckon Parisse pays per annum for facials and moisturisers? Not only a great player but looks good too.......

Good run by Picamoles which shows why France will win this match.......10 minutes of baish bash from the Italians going nowhere and then 10 seconds of flair!

 

[kesh]

Great game, end to end.

 

[lynam1104]

This is going to be a good final 20. Hope Italy can keep the lead and pull of the upset of the round.

 

[Tony Manx]

Great game, end to end.

Super break from Machenaud, but why did he throw the ball away, followed by wonderful break out but where were the French in defence....they were walking most of them!!

This is what Italy and the 6N wanted.....watch out Scotland.....looks like your wooden spoon again!!

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Great game.

 

[Draggs]

Enjoying this one.
Italy playing the game that suits them, not looking overwhelmed liked they did a few years back.

 

[Tony Manx]

Parra on but the French team are crying our for the organisation of Trin Duch rather than the "magic" of Michalak at this stage...

 

[lynam1104]

Bringing burton on is madness here

 

[Patchey]

Bringing burton on is madness here

Not good.

 

[Jockstap]

Whatever the result of the match it's clear that playing in the Pro12 has had a massive positive impact for italian rugby.