The Italy of rugby makes you dream, it stands up to France which, stronger, in the end brings home the result.
For the Azzurri, the debut in the 2023 Six Nations at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome does not have the flavor of past ones, only the defeat is bitter, because coach Kieran Crowley's team manages to stay in the game until the end against the transalpine champions who they had been losing by 13 games.
The more than 40,000 who applauded the steps forward of the national oval in the Capitoline facility saw it, in a stadium dressed up for the party (and transformed overnight from Sport and Health into a rugby facility).
Italy was coming off an unforgettable autumn, with victories over Australia (the first ever) and Fiji that had ignited unprecedented hopes.
Not only that: Ange Capuozzo had also received the revelation award of the
year from World Rugby.
In short, despite the value of the opponent was immense (since they were the reigning champions of the 6 Nations and the favorites for the next World Cup, at home), the Azzurri wanted to be everything but the sacrificial victims.
After four minutes, however, and the road starts uphill: Varney commits a serious negligence and gives the ball to Flament, for a very easy try.
Ramos converts, and Italy is immediately down 0-7.
for an easy destination.
Ramos converts, and Italy is immediately down 0-7.
for an easy destination.
Ramos converts, and Italy is immediately down 0-7.
The French offensive flurries are scary, but there's Allan who has a big foot and makes a set piece from a long distance.
The new Italy that captain Michele Lamaro had talked about on the eve ("We no longer have the defensive mentality of before, now we attack more") actually has a cheeky approach to the game, but against France it doesn't seem to pay, so much so that the cockerels place another try (which the referee cancels because Ollivon had lost control of the ball), and then another, validated, with Ramos.
Italy relies on Allan's missile foot, but France dominates: Ntamack invents a magical pass kick for Dumortier, in goal on his national team debut.
At this stage, Italy would once have closed in on defence, but Crowley's side remain true to his attacking style:
in the 33rd minute Ange Capuozzo excites the Olimpico with one of his escapes, another five points.
The second half began as a siege by France, but Italy conquered a very precious technical try due to a foul by Ollivon, which prevented a blue try and got a yellow card: 21-22, everything is possible, and when Allan once again on a set piece the Olimpico rejoices: the Azzurri are ahead.
Then Ollivon returns to the field and France comes forward, with the substitute Jalibert who goes in goal for the counter pass, the result doesn't change anymore, 29-24 and success for the transalpines.
Antoine Dupont, the captain, can therefore lift the Garibaldi Trophy, the (very heavy) cup destined for the winning team of the only 'Latin' challenge of the 6 Nations.
"Regret? It's always the same when you lose,
whether it's a little or a lot - explains Lamaro after the match - We've put ourselves in a bit of trouble on our own on some occasions, we can take a step forward.
The attitude is very good: some time ago at 19-6 we would have missed the match.
We believe a lot in what we have built". Now head to the match against England, on 12 February in London.