France were pushed all the way by a resurgent Italian women’s rugby side in a 28-20 game in Benevento
Italy, who defeated Wales in the previous round, went into the match high in confidence against a French team who had been beaten by England two weeks ago.
Centre Sandrine Agricole opened the scoring for the French just minutes into the game with a try but Italian veteran back Veronica Schiavon, winning her 50th cap on the day, slotted a penalty to get Italy in the scoreboard.
Claire Canal then scored a second try for the French but Italy skipper Paola Zangirolami made a great break to keep her side within touching distance as she crashed over with a fine try.
Before the break the French pushed ahead with a score from classy centre Elodie Poublan and her side went into the break 19-10 ahead.
Schiavon and Agricole exchanged penalties after the restart and then Italy thoroughly rattles the French with a breakaway try from Flavia Severin wth Schiavon’s convertion bringing Italy within just two points of their more celebrated opponents. France managed to get some breathing space though with two more penalties from Nadège Casenave.
Schiavon said afterwards. "I'm delighted to have won by 50th cap. I thought today that we showed that we have reduced the gap that separated us from France, especially compared to last year. The match was tough but in the end we made life hard for them.”
Italy: Veronica Schiavon, Veronese, Cioffi, Zangirolami (cap), Furlan, Tondinelli, Barattin, Gaudino, Bado (62 Ruzza), Este (45 Campanella), Pettinelli, Severin, Gai (41 Vaghi), Zanon (62 Raponi) Cucchiella (61 Gai). Herds and Andrea Di Giandomenico Daniele Porrino
France: Ladagnous, Aguerre, Poublan, Agriculture (80 Sobolak) Ramkilaoun (57 Parra), Casenave, Yahe (75 Troncy), Ba, Manon (58 Canal L.), Canal C., De Nadai (47 Bouisset), Rabier , Chobet (75 Noguerra), Mignot (59 Sainlo) Ezanno.
Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)
