In pain, France managed to forestall the Italians
France’s women’s XV barely beat Italy on Sunday (22-12) to enter the 2023 Six Nations Championship. The Blues have been able to count on their executives such as Caroline Bogard to join England at the top of the table. France will travel to Ireland next weekend.
The French women’s XV, rejuvenated and rejuvenated compared to the one who won the bronze medal at the World Cup in the fall, fought back Sunday in Parma to beat Italy (22-12) in their first match of the Six Nations. In 2022, the two teams met four times, the only defeat (19-26) to the French in Italy, in Biella, in a World Cup preparation match in New Zealand: so the blue was warned but did it. Don’t fall into the transalpine trap.
Now coached by a duo of Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, the Tricolores have shown great training proficiency, strong physical dominance but still some problems with possession and accuracy. There is nothing too unsettling for the first game of the tournament, but this will have to be leveled as the competition progresses, from the next day in Ireland, in particular by successfully establishing more highlights.
Italy opens discussions
Against them, the Italians, who also had to deal with the symbolic retirement of players and the arrival of a new coach, Giovanni Raineri, did not fail and showed great aggressiveness. The first period, started by the teammates of the new captain Audrey Forlani, in diesel mode, accelerated after the first attempt of the Italians, which occurred from the third line Giada Franco (21).
Les Bleues responded quickly with center Gabrielle Vernier (24), named Woman of the Match and one of the best French women at the New Zealand World Cup, and then young opener Carla Arbez (33), for her first ‘Cape’. Returning from the locker room, the Transalpines quickly reduced the score by scoring a second try by winger Alyssa de Enca (47th), before heavy rain disrupted the match, bringing to the fore hand errors on both sides. Rhythm. Even winger Caroline Bogard, back in selection, released the Frenchman a few minutes from time.
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