Europe 1 with AFP 18:45 p.m., March 26, 2023

The Women's France XV hardly beat Italy on Sunday (22-12) for its entry into the VI Nations Tournament 2023. Shaken, the Blues were finally able to count on its executives like Caroline Boujard to join England at the top of the table. The France will travel to Ireland next weekend.

The women's France XV, rejuvenated and renewed compared to the one who won the bronze medal at the World Cup in the fall, struggled Sunday in Parma to beat Italy (22-12) in its first match of the Six Nations Tournament. In 2022, the two teams had met four times, and the only defeat (19-26) of the French had occurred in Italy, in Biella, in a preparation match for the World Cup in New Zealand: the Blues were therefore warned but did not fall into the transalpine trap.

Now coached by a duo formed by Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz, the Habs have shown great efficiency in the scrum, a strong physical domination but some problems still in terms of possession and precision. Nothing to worry about for a first match of the Tournament, but it will be necessary to settle this as the competition progresses, and this from the next day in Ireland, in particular by succeeding in achieving more of the highlights.

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Italy opens the debate

Against them, the Italians, who also had to deal with the retirement of emblematic players and the arrival of a new coach, Giovanni Raineri, did not deserve, showing great aggressiveness. The first half, which the teammates of new captain Audrey Forlani, started in diesel mode, accelerated after the first try of the Italians, signed by the third line Giada Franco (21st).

Les Bleues quickly responded with center Gabrielle Vernier (24th), named "woman of the match" and one of the best French at the New Zealand World Cup, then by the young opener Carla Arbez (33rd), for her first "cape". On the return from the locker room, the Transalpines quickly reduced the score by scoring their second try by winger Alyssa D'Inca (47th), before heavy showers disrupted the match, accentuating the errors of hand on both sides and placing the match in a false rhythm. Until winger Caroline Boujard, back in the selection, released the French a few minutes from the end.