6 Nations

A pair of outstanding tries by Duhan van der Merwe saw Scotland retain the Calcutta Cup for a third successive year.

Worked hard though and joint-top tackler (14) with Schoeman. [George Horne](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/george-horne/) – 6.5 Another who worked hard, and made metres in close quarters while adding to the defensive effort. Led from the front and won the crucial penalty that sealed victory. Guilty of giving away the penalty that saw England lead at the break, but otherwise a solid showing before departing on 58 minutes. [George Turner](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/george-turner/) – 6.5 Won’t want to see Dan Cole’s first scrum again, and departed shortly after. Another mixed bag from Scotland’s mercurial talisman. Recovered from a ropey start where he was sat down by Steward and put Jones over with a deft grubber. Has been questioned defensively in the past, but kept ex-Quins colleague Marchant well-marked throughout. Had another couple of chances that he couldn’t take, but was defensively sound and can be pleased with his day’s work. The former skipper had been a doubt with a heel injury and wasn’t at his world-class best.

Sione Tuipulotu inspired Scotland to memorable Calcutta Cup victory as Ben Curry had a day to forget for England.

5 Grant Gilchrist Messy moment at the lineout and made little impact in the loose before he was replaced. 4 Richie Gray Preferred to his younger brother and shone, particularly in the buildup to winning try. 9 Ben White Opportunistic try, finished with the zip that sums him up. Two fine passes in buildup to winning try. Out of position for Malins’ first try but came up with the winning score. Polished in every facet of the game. Precise kick for Jones’s try and always picked the right pass. In terms of effort, did not deserve to end up on losing side. 6 Lewis Ludlam Hunted Russell early on and passed to Malins for his second try. Borthwick’s kind of player. 5 Ollie Chessum Discipline not perfect but has an incredible engine and can do a bit of everything. 4 Maro Itoje Conceded a needless penalty but a nuisance at lineout – some things never change.

France begin the defence of their Six Nations title this Sunday when they take on underdogs Italy in their opening match of the 2023 event at the Stadio ...

Rugby fans in the UK can also tune into Sunday's match at the Stadio Olimpico via a livestream, with the game available to watch via ITVX. Their title defence will resume this weekend when they make the trip to Rome to take on underdogs Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. The French stole the show last year, winning all five games to clinch their first Six Nations title in 12 years.

Italy: 15. Ange Capuozzo, 14. Pierre Bruno, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Luca Morisi, 11. Tommaso Menoncello, 10. Tommaso Allan, 9. Stephen Varney; 1.

Crowley believes Italy need to be more “street smart” and Lamaro is eager that his side “stops conceding mistakes after a mistake” so they can “stay in the fight for 80 minutes”. Some of Italy’s back play in the autumn, with Capuozzo sweeping into the line, was exceptional. There is a faint chill in the breeze, but otherwise the conditions could not be more auspicious for a free-flowing game of Test match rugby. Tommaso Menoncello, who starts on the left wing against France was described by Paul Gustard, his former Benetton defence coach, as “built like a bull” yet “shredded and super-fast” with “huge endurance”. Georgia overturned the Azzurri in July, adding weight to the Lelos’ eagerness for Six Nations expansion. France, who begin the defence of their Six Nations title today, have not lost a match since 2021, while Italy have not beaten their border-sharing adversaries since 2013. Ramos lurks behind to scoop up the ball and make the try – but this goes for review too! Kieran Crowley, the Italy head coach, has warned that Capuozzo must contend with second-season syndrome in 2023. The lineout is taken well, and Allen tries to move forward, but within moments, they're turned over. After surging forward with confidence, France are poised for Penaud to side a sumptuous aerial pass to Dumortier on the left. Capuozzo struggles through the pack, and Italy tries for space down both wings, but France lock up defensively. But he comes off the better, slipping past him to the corner just in time to plant the ball by the overturned flag.

Will last season's grand slam winners France open their campaign with victory in Rome, or could Italy produce a shock? Join Lee Calvert.

Italy come back at them from the lineout and create a little gap for Capuozzo out wide, but the ball is slightly behind him and snaffled by Ramos. Dupont has a dart left off the back of a big French maul in the Italy half. Allan call for the tee and puts his side on the board. Some outstanding attacking patterns and handling from Italy follows a big maul drive, and France are scrambling all over the place in their own half. On another advantage, Italy are attacking on the France 22, and the intricacy of their attacking patterns is outstanding. The work it with several carries from the forward tight around the ruck, before the ball rolls loose and is regathered. Italy manage something resembling a reasonable exit from the kick-off, and France have their first attack of the half from the resulting lineout. Well, yes, in that he blew the whistle to award the penalties that gave Italy either territory or a chance to kick posts. The Azzuri pack catch and drive it and on the second shove they are this close to forcing the ball over the line but Ollivon illegally pulls the maul down. France have some decent possession of the first time in a while and from a maul on the right the fire it left into midfield. Fusco has added a bit more zip with his passing from the breakdown as Italy try to run it from their own half. Les Bleus had a chance to close out the game with a lineout in the Italy half, but the imprecision comes to the fore once more as they can’t claim their own throw.

Live updates from Sundays Round 1 2023 Six Nations clash between defending Grand Slam champions France and Italy from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (3pm ...

France player ratings: It would have been near unthinkable for France to have lost their Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome...

[Sekou Macalou](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/sekou-macalou/) threw himself about and brought some much-needed energy to an emotionally flat French side. He isn’t the first and he won’t be the last. [Gregory Alldritt](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/gregory-alldritt/) – 6 His yellow card that conceded a penalty try in the 51st minute triggered France’s considerable wobble. Back in blue after missing the Autumn Nations Series with injury and was on light piano shifting duties today. The man mountain was sporting a slimmer physique and looked all the fitter for it. Was asked by referee Matthew Carley if we wanted to be marched by back after moaning following a penalty in the 29th minute. A constant menace who seemed to cause panic in the Italian ranks every time he was on the ball. [Yoram Moefana](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/yoram-moefana/) – 6 Hard to oversell just how much value he brings to the French midfield. The Bordeaux-bound Penaud got on the end of a few decent attacking shapes but was kept relatively quiet in the first half. Looked flighty late on, not a characteristic any side wants in a fullback.

France put down a daring Italy 29-24 and played its part in setting the stage for the eagerly awaited Six Nations showdown with Ireland next weekend.

France were making uncharacteristic errors and conceded a yellow card for the first time in more than a year. Italy hammered France to the end, though. Italy fought back from 19-6 down to lead for the first time in the match at 24-22 with less than a quarter to go.

The defending champions were 24-22 down going into the last 15 minutes in Rome on Sunday before replacement flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert scored the decisive try.

There are regrets but also a lot of pride," said Italy fullback Capuozzo, who scored his sixth try in eight international appearances. With an extra man on the field and a one-point deficit, the hosts were fired up and they took the lead just before Ollivon returned to the field with Allan's fourth penalty. Italy made it to the board with Allan's first penalty but the Azzurri were on the brink.