Italy U20 v France U20, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
Italy U20 (0) 5
Tries: Casartelli
France U20 (22) 58
Tries: Traversier, Rates, Akrab (30', 48'), Ibsaiene (41', 60'), Tolofua, Vigneres, Daunivucu Cons: Keletaona (15', 31, 49'), Cotarmanac'h (58', 64') Pens: Keletaona (10')
Player of the Match: Elyjah Ibsaiene (France)
France laid down a marker in Round Three of the U20 Six Nations with a commanding display at Monigo Stadium, as Italy faltered in the face of early pressure and conceded three first-half tries. The Azzurrini had their chances but were guilty of wastefulness and unforced errors.
Italy’s struggles began at the set-piece, with their scrum coming under pressure from the opening minutes. By the seventh, France forced a collapse, winning a penalty that was kicked to the corner. A handling error spared the hosts, but it was only a short reprieve. The visitors soon took control, getting on the board in the 10th minute through a Luka Keletuona penalty.
It did not take long for France to score their first try. Five minutes later, a moment of sharp interplay saw hooker Lyam Akrab offload to Corentin Mezou, who sent flanker Noa Traversier over with an inside pass. Keletuona added the extras to stretch the lead, leaving Italy with an uphill battle.
Italy’s most chaotic moment came just before the end of the opening quarter, as they conceded another try after a series of direct French attacks. First, centre Simeli Daunivucu kept the ball alive with a clever offload before France swept it wide to winger Melvyn Rates, who finished clinically for his side’s second try.
The hosts struggled with discipline, defensive cohesion, and execution. They made four entries into the French 22 but failed to capitalise—three ended in turnovers, and the other with a handling error.
With just under ten minutes left in the half, France’s power game took centre stage. A lineout five metres from the Italian line provided the perfect platform, and the maul did the rest, with hooker Akrébi crashing over to stretch the lead to 22-0. Moments later, they nearly secured the bonus point when substitute Elyjah Ibsaiene sparked a break through the middle. He linked up with scrum-half Baptiste Tilloles, but the move broke down when Tilloles found himself isolated, allowing full-back Pietro Celi to pounce for a crucial turnover.
The second half picked up right where it left off—kick-off, an Italian forward pass, a French scrum, Ibaïesne charging at full speed, and a bonus point secured.
Italy attempted to respond and nearly found a fortunate try through Jules Ducros, but after a TMO review, it was ruled out due to a foot in touch.
The Azzurrini's confidence continued to wane as the match wore on, and by its conclusion, they conceded a staggering nine tries. Akrab added to the tally, powering over from a five-metre maul. Italy briefly threatened the opposition line but failed to ground the ball, with a high pass not quite finding its target. In a rapid four-minute burst, Les Bluets extended their lead with three more tries from Slalevallea Tolofua, Ibsaiene (who was named Player of the Match), and substitute Lucas Vignères, further sealing Italy's fate.
With ten minutes remaining, Daunivucu's goal extended the lead, and only in the final moments of the drive did Italy respond, with Nelson Casartelli's penalty securing the final score of 5-58.
Lyam Akrab - France hooker: "The whole team is very happy, despite the defeat against England. We showed that we know how to play rugby and that we can win. I am very happy with my performance. However, most of the joy comes from playing together with my friends, with my team, which is a bit like a family."