France 13-13 Italy - Visitors miss late penalty as Six Nations thriller ends in a draw after red card drama

Italy were cruelly denied a first Six Nations win in France after they drew 13-13 when Paulo Garbisi's injury-time penalty came back off the post.

France flew out of traps in Lille, with their power and set-piece dominance setting the tone before Charles Ollivon went over under the posts after just seven minutes.

Thomas Ramos extended the hosts' lead from the tee but the game turned on the brink of half-time when Les Bleus were reduced to 14 men after Jonathan Danty's head-to-head collision with Juan Ignacio Brex.

Martin Page-Relo and Ramos exchanged penalties either side of half-time before Garbisi's penalty, followed by Ange Capuozzo's 70th minute score, set the game up for a thrilling finale.

As the game ticked past the 80th minute, the visitors were afforded a chance to win the game with a penalty, but Garbisi's effort came back off the post after the ball had fallen off the tee before his first attempt.

Italy have won just twice against France in the Six Nations, with both of those victories coming on home soil.

And yet, in Lille against 14 men, they fought back superbly after a tough first 40 minutes and brought themselves to the brink of victory when Capuozzo bundled over in the corner with just ten minutes to go.

As the clock ticked down, the visitors earned a shot at a famous first Six Nations win in France when they won a penalty in injury-time. However, as Garbisi approached to strike the penalty, the ball unexpectedly fell off the tee.

With the shot clock still ticking down, the Italian fly-half had to re-position the ball, recompose himself and take the effort with just seconds remaining. The rushed attempt ricocheted agonisingly wide and off the post to deny Italy a famous victory and one that their second-half performance more than deserved. Talk about fine margins.

Despite his injury-time penalty miss, the Italian fly-half was the general for his side throughout the game and a key reason behind their second-half revival. France may have got the better of the forwards but Garbisi and his backs stood toe-to-toe with France throughout that first half.

In the second period, the Italian orchestrated play wonderfully, allowing his side to gain a foothold in the game and score their try superbly through Capuozzo. His last-minute miss will sting but this was a coming-of-age display from the 23-year-old.

France: Ramos 6, Penaud 5, Fickou 5, Danty 4, Lebel 6, Jalibert 5, Lucu 5, Baille 6, Mauvaka, Atonio 5, Woki 6, Tuilagi 7, Boudehent 7, Ollivon 6, Cros 6.

Replacements: Marchand 5, Sebastien Taofifenua 5, Aldegheri 5, Romain Taofifenua 6, Roumat, 5, Abadie 5, Le Garrec 6, Moefana 5.

Italy: Capuozzo 7, Menoncello 6 Brex 6, Mori 6, Ioane 5, Garbisi 7, Page-Relo 6, Fischetti 6, Nicotera 5, Zilocchi 6, Cannone 7, Ruzza 5, Favretto 6, Lamaro 6, Vintcent 7.

Replacements: Lucchesi 7, Spagnolo 6, Ferrari 7, Zambonin 5, Zuliani 6, Varney 6, Marin 5.

7' TRY! FRANCE 7-0 ITALY (OLLIVON) - Ollivon thinks he's got the ball down but there may have been a knock-on before the flanker touched it down. It was a tough one to call but with no clear evidence, the ref's onfield decision stands and the try is awarded.

37' JALIBERT MAKES WAY - fly-half Jalibert will have to make way due to injury as Moefana comes on. That's a real shame. Ramos may well move from full-back to fly-half in that case.

42' DANTY IN THE SIN BIN - TMO takes a look at a tackle from Danty on Brex. It's a head-on-head clash and the French centre is sent to the sin-bin. That will be reviewed by the TMO and could well be upgraded to a red.

44' PENALTY! FRANCE 10-3 ITALY (PAGE-RELO) - What a superb kick from the Italian scrum-half, slotting the penalty away from some distance. A great way to end the half for Italy who are still right in this contest.

HT DANTY SENT OFF - It was a bad collision from the French centre at the end of the first half and the TMO have now upgraded the decision to a red card before start of the second half.

70' TRY! FRANCE 13-13 ITALY (CAPUOZZO) - Well, what a game we have on our hands now. For the first time this half, Italy have properly challenged France's 14-men defence. Patience and precision from the visitors as Marin offloads to Capuozzo to touch down in the far corner. Garbisi slots home the extras and we have a level game heading into the final ten minutes.

82' OFF THE POST! The ball falls off the tee just as Garbisi was about to strike the ball. The shot clock was still ticking down and Garbisi had to rush the kick. The contact is good but the ball strikes the post and deflects wide.

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