Italy hosted France at the Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2025, for their Six Nations match, with both teams eager to prove their worth following contrasting performances in the tournament. France, coming off a disappointing last-minute loss to England, aimed for redemption, whereas Italy sought to build on their recent victory against Wales. This match was particularly significant as France, ranked among the tournament favorites, had only one title from the Six Nations, and pressure was mounting for the defending champions to deliver.
France's head coach Fabien Galthie made several strategic changes to his starting lineup. Hoping to shake off the bad taste of defeat at Twickenham, Galthie introduced Thomas Ramos at flyhalf and opted for stronger forwards, putting emphasis on physical play to dominate the Italian front.
At kickoff, Italy fielded their usual blend of experience and youth, with Tommaso Menoncello being one of the brightest stars on the side. The home crowd was energetic, chanting and cheering for their team as the players entered the pitch. Notably, Italy had nearly made history last year with their near victory against this very French side, settling instead for a thrilling 13-13 draw, and they arrived at this match filled with confidence.
Right from the start, France launched assaults on the Italian defensive line, but Italy held firm, showcasing impressive discipline and organization. The key moment came at the 11-minute mark when Menoncello sliced through the French defense after executing a clever set piece from the scrum. He touched down under the posts, giving Italy the lead at 7-0 after Tommaso Allan added the conversion.
Michael Cooke, reporting live, noted, "How about that?! The Olimpico ROARS as centre Menoncello, last year's player of the tournament, bursts through the French line and has the afterburners needed to weave his way over the line. A superb score from a superb young talent." Such moments energized the Italian side, setting the tone for the first half.
Despite Italy's early success, France refused to buckle under pressure. Shortly after Menoncello's try, France appeared to score with Leo Barre crossing the try line. An incredible play orchestrated by Ramos, who delivered precise kicks, led to Barre receiving the ball with only meters to go. Much to Italy's relief, the try was disallowed due to a forward pass ruled by the TMO—a decision celebrated by the home crowd.
Allan had his chance to extend Italy's scoring but missed a penalty kick during the first half, keeping the score frustratingly close for the Italians. By the 20-minute mark, Italy looked increasingly tenacious, defending their lines as France pushed forward aggressively. Their defensive resilience was pivotal, allowing them to maintain their lead.
France's inability to capitalize on opportunities was growing apparent, and by the 30-minute mark, it became even more palpable as they squandered more chances. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with alternating chants of support for both teams being thrown back and forth by the fans.
Entering the latter part of the first half, Italy maintained their composure and confidence. France, under pressure, occasionally fumbled their opportunities, displaying frustration as they desperately sought to break through the Azzurri's formidable defense.
With half-time approaching, the score remained 7-0, and Italy pushed through, achieving strong momentum. Their performance was characterized by daring and creativity, perhaps fueled by the ambition of exceeding the historic draw they achieved last year against these French rivals.
After the interval, tensions remained high as both teams readied for the second half. With crowd energy constantly feeding the players on the pitch, speculation loomed about whether Italy could hold their nerve against the powerful French side determined to regain supremacy. The second half promised explosive rugby with plenty of twists and turns.
Italy's strong performance continued, forcing France to rethink their strategy. All the efforts by the French side felt like they were one step behind, often getting caught offside or losing possession during key moments. Galthie’s men became increasingly desperate as the minutes ticked on, leaving fans wondering if Italy would manage to replicate last year's near victory.
Italy showcased not only defense but clever counter-attacks. The home side began closing down space expertly, making it hard for France to find the flow they needed on the field. Italy's growling pack fought hard at the breakdowns, as their combination of youth and experience became instrumental, wearing down their French opponents.
Despite French efforts to respond with coordinated attacks, time and again they found themselves denied by Italy's hardworking defensive line. Garrett Brex and others got involved heavily, ensuring France felt every inch of their contest. With fierce determination, Italy secured important penalties to keep the French at bay.
By the final moments of the match, Italy held onto their lead tightly, often playing for territory rather than points, with accuracy on the exit kicks becoming the order of the day as they ground out the final minutes. The crowd's enthusiasm reached fever pitch, with shouts and chants celebrating each successful tackle or turnover for the Azzurri.
When the final whistle blew, it was Italy who emerged victorious. They had not only held off the French aspirations but turned the tide of the match dramatically. The players celebrated together, embodying the spirit of unity and resilience, which had grown stronger throughout this thrilling encounter. With this win, Italy cemented their bond and ambition, but also raised questions about France's performance and their ability to win under pressure.
Italy's stunning triumph shows the changing dynamics within the Six Nations, reminding everyone just how competitive and unpredictable international rugby can be. Their stunning display brought relief and joy to the fans and marked another historic milestone for Italian rugby.