Match Centre: Six Nations: France 13-13 Italy

France 13-13 Italy, Stade Pierre Mauroy

Paolo Garbisi missed the decisive penalty in the added minutes as Italy missed the chance to secure their first-ever Six Nations victory in France.

Italy were greatly aided by red card to Jonathan Danty at the stroke of half time by referee Christophe Ridley after a head-on-head collision on Ignacio Brex. He was initially yellow carded which was upgraded to red card following the bunker review system.

With the scores levelled at 13-13, Italy won a penalty in the closing stage and just when they looked favourites to win the closly contested encounter, Garbisi's kick struck the post handing them a heartbreak. The result meant France are at fourth place with six points while Italy are at the bottom with three points.

The Les Bleus were the first to open their account in the 5th minute as they turned down a scrum penalty with eventually Charles Ollivon powered his way over for the opening try. There was a check by referee Ridley for a knock-on but was cleared by the TMO and Thomas Ramos kicked the conversion to make it 7-0.

France extended their lead further as Ramos kicked his first three pointer in the 14th minute but their momentum dipped in the closing stage of the first half as Matthieu Jalibert was injured and replaced by Yoram Moefana followed by Danty's red card. A penalty kick from Martin Page Relo just before the break gave Italy their first points of the game as the teams completed the opening half with a 10-3 scoreline.

The home side were given the news on Danty's red card upgradation in the break but despite that they forced an early penalty goal which Ramos converted to take their lead to 10 points before an infringement from Julien Marchand saw Garbisi splitting the post to make it 13-6.

Italy eventually made use of the numerical advantage in the 70th minute as Leonardo Marin sent a pass for Ange Capuozzo to dive in the corner and Garbisi's conversion saw them level the scores and just when Italy thought they can get away with a victory, Garbisi's penalty goal struck the posts as the teams had to settle for a hard fought draw.

Team line up:

France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Lebel, Jalibert, Lucu; Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio, Woki, Tuilagi, Boudehent, Ollivon (capt), Cros.

Reserves: Marchand, Taofifenua, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Abadie, Le Garrec, Moefana.

Italy: Capuozzo; Menoncello, Brex, Mori, Ioane, Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Nicotera, Zilocchi, Cannone, Ruzza, Favretto, Lamaro (capt), Vintcent.

Reserves: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Ferrari, Canali, Zambonin, Zuliani, Varney, Marin.