France open with comfortable win over Italy

France began their World Cup in an efficient manner and showed glimpses that they can be a serious threat at this year’s tournament after a 32-10 victory over Italy.

Italy lacked discipline throughout and were punished in the first half as Frederic Michalak’s boot helped France to a 15-3 lead at the interval

However during the first-half there was more TMO confusion after yesterday's incident in England's win over Fiji.

Nao Nakaitachi thought he had touched down after being given a try by the TMO, but the officials then reversed the decision after seeing the replay on the big screen.

After the half-time, France showed more creativity and Rabah Slimani dotted down after a lovely kick through by Michalak.

The Azzurri responded through Giovanbattista Venditti’s try, but experienced prop Nicolas Mas scored his first try in 81 games for France to seal the victory.

The one sour note for the French was the injury to winger Yoann Huget, who was taken off with a suspected injury to his knee and he could be out for the rest of the tournament.

Up next for Les Bleus are Romania at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, while Italy play Canada on Saturday.

Philippe Saint-André’s men may well be looking further ahead to when they play Ireland, who thrashed Canada 50-7 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff earlier in the day. It is likely to be a battle for top spot in Pool D between the French and Irish to avoid a potential quarter-final against current World Champions New Zealand.

For now though, they were fully focused on the task in hand showing signs of what they can really do in short spells during this match.

The first half in this encounter was all about penalties as Michalak opened the scoring after six minutes from the tee before another high-profile error by the officials. 

Clermont’s Noa Nakaitaci thought he had touched down on 10 minutes after Louis Picamoles' pass came off a defender.

However, just before Michalak was about to step up and take the conversion, referee Craig Joubert saw the replay on the big screen which showed that Nakaitaci had lost control of the ball.

The winger’s effort had already been given as a try by the TMO, but Joubert then went back upstairs and the decision was reversed.

The officials were one of talking points after England’s World Cup opener against Fiji which saw Nikola Matawalu’s try overturned when referee Jaco Peyer saw the replays after initially giving the try.

From there, Michalak then went on to add three more kicks to his name and was joined by Scott Spedding to give the French a 12 point advantage at the interval with Tomasso Allan providing the points for Italy.

Into the second 40 and France were quickest out the blocks as Slimani scored the first try on 45 minutes.

Nakaiaci started the move by galloping down the left flank and managed to find hooker Guilhem Guirado.

He showed great determination, but was stopped just before the line. However, quick recycling of the ball allowed Michalak the time to poke through a lovely weighted grubber kick which was pounced upon by Slimani.

It was clear that Italy were missing their influential captain Sergio Parisse, but they did hit back from France’s score as Venditti comfortably finished in the corner after a good spell of pressure. 

It gave Italy hope that they could get back into the contest, but France struck again as the replacement Mas tried to force his way over the line, but managed to touch the ball against the posts to secure the try.

Michalak finished on 19 points as he sent over the final conversion to end a professional start to the World Cup by France, who showed small signs of what they are capable of at this tournament.

France: Spedding; Huget, Bastareaud, Dumoulin, Nakaitaci; Michalak, Tillous-Borde; Ben Arous, Guirado, Slimani, Pape, Maestri, Dusautoir, Chouly, Picamoles.

Replacements: Kayser, Debaty, Mas, Le Roux, Flanquart, Parra, Tales, Fickou

Tries: Slimani, Mas

Cons: Michalak (2)

Pens: Michalak (5), Spedding

Italy: McLean; Sarto, Campagnaro, Masi, Venditti; Allan, Gori; Aguero, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Geldenhuys, Furno, Zanni, Minto, Vunisa.

Replacements: Manici, Rizzo, Cittadini, Bernabo, Favaro, Palazzani, Canna, Bacchin

Try: Venditti

Con: Allan

Pen: Allan