Italian Head coach Nick Mallett

ITALY caused the biggest upset in the Championship for decades by beating Grand Slam champions, France in Rome, 22-21. Unlike their other performances in recent year the Italian refused to fade in the final quarter, winning the game with a late Mirco Bergamasco penalty.

France coach Marc Lievremont refused to quit in the wake of the game saying: ‘It’s tough to take, quitting doesn’t even enter my vocabulary even if I
 still have doubts.’

Watch the highlights (UK only) by clicking here.

While Italy coach Sergio Parisse and coach Nick Mallett kicked off a memorable party in Rome.

Italy (6) 22

Try: Masi Con: Bergamasco Pens: Bergamasco 5
France (8) 21
Tries: Clerc, Parra Con: Parra Pens: Parra 3

Italy: Masi; Benvenuti, Canale, Garcia, Bergamasco; Orquera, Semenzato; Lo Cicero, Festuccia, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, Del Fava, Zanni, Barbieri, Parisse.

Replacements: Burton for Orquera (57), Perugini for Lo Cicero (47), Ghiraldini for Festuccia (47), Geldenhuys for Dellape (53), Derbyshire for Barbieri (57).

Not Used: Canavosio, McLean.

France: Medard; Huget, Rougerie, Jauzion, Clerc; Trinh-Duc, Parra; Marconnet, Servat, Mas, Pierre, Nallet, Dusautoir, Bonnaire, Chabal.

Replacements: Traille for Jauzion (70), Guirado for Servat (61), Ducalcon for Mas (40), Thion for Nallet (56), Harinordoquy for Chabal (56).

Not Used: Tomas, Poitrenaud.

Att: 28,000

Ref: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand).