France
coach Marc Lièvremont admitted to "huge disillusionment"
after watching his side crash to a 22-21 defeat against
Italy in Rome.
The
French outscored their hosts by two tries to one, but still
went down to their first ever Six Nations defeat against the
Italians. Indeed, it was only their second loss in 32 games
against the Azzurri, and comes hot on the heels of France's
defeat at Twickenham two weeks ago.
Lièvremont's indecision hurting France
It adds
up to a worrying picture for last season's Grand Slam
champions, especially when added to their summer humbling by
Argentina, and their woeful capitulation against Australia
in November.
Lièvremont is sure to take the brunt of the inevitable flak
that will surely follow, with the next week likely to be one
of the longest in his four-year tenure.
The
French coach has managed to deflect most criticism with
crucial results just when most needed, but this loss in Rome
will be hugely difficult for the rugby-mad French public to
stomach - and especially so close to the World Cup being
held later this year.
To rub
further salt into Lièvremont's wounds all 22 if Italy's
points were scored by players plying their trade in Paris,
with Racing-Métro duo Mirco Bergamasco (five penalties and a
conversion) and Andrea Masi (try) doing the damage.
The
result was all the more surprising as France had been
leading 18-6 with half an hour to go after tries from
Vincent Clerc (14 mins) and Morgan Parra (50 mins) - the
latter his first in national colours. Parra, who got a late
call to the starting XV after Dimitri Yachvili was injured,
also added three penalties and a conversion as 'Les Bleus'
appeared on target for a regulation win.
But
Italy's fight-back was prompted by Masi's 59th-minute try,
with Bergamasco adding the conversion and three subsequent
penalties to seal the famous win. It capped a good day for
the Bergamasco brothers as sibling Mauro scored a try for
Stade Francais on his return to action after a four-month
lay-off.
Lièvremont, on the other hand, was almost rendered
speechless after the match. "This is yet another
disappointment and yet another huge disillusionment,"
admitted the 42-year-old. "We have to congratulate the
Italians because from the first minute to the last minute
they were better than us," he added.
The
former French flanker accused his team of shirking the
physical challenge presented by the Italians. "We lost every
duel we contested. This is hugely disappointing. We are
going to spend another really lovely week together," he
added.
Lièvremont was backed up by France skipper
Thierry Dusautoir, who also questioned his side's
commitment. "Rugby is a contact sport and about physically
engaging with the opponent, and we simply weren't interested
in that today," he said.
Jubilant
Italian captain Sergio Parisse, who plays for Stade
Francais, was overjoyed at the victory. "It's a dream today,
beating France," he beamed. "He's the only coach [Nick
Mallett] who believed in us, I want to dedicate this victory
to him," added Parisse.
And
victorious coach Nick Mallett was equally effusive. "I've
got a great captain in Sergio Parisse - he's been a lone
figure over the last four years, but he's now playing with a
team where he just has to do his part," he said after the
win.
"We
played today against a good French team, who have reached
two World Cup finals and have always thrashed Italy really,
so it's a huge achievement. It's one of the proudest moments
as coach, for sure," he added.
Italy
had come tantalizingly close to beating both Ireland and
Wales at home already this season, and Mallett believes the
progress is evident to see. "I think we have played our best
three games at home in the history of our Six Nations," he
said.
France
conclude their Six Nations programme with a home match
against Wales next week.
