/ 12 March 2011

Bergamasco kicks Italy to upset win over France

Mirco Bergamasco kicked Italy to a first Six Nations victory over France on Saturday, scoring 17 points in a surprise 22-21 victory over last season’s grand slam winners.

Italy had lost their 11 previous Six Nations matches against France, with their only previous international win over Les Bleus coming in 1997.

Tries from Vincent Clerc and Morgan Parra gave France a comfortable 18-6 lead early in the second half but Italy, coming into the match on the back of three defeats, hit back on 60 minutes when fullback Andrea Masi ran in to set up a grandstand finish.

With France flagging, Bergamasco landed three penalties in the final 20 minutes to secure victory for the Azzurri. – Reuters