Fans at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma had barely found their seats before France struck their first blow. Just two minutes in, from a scrum, Pauline Bourdon-Sansus attacked down the blindside, Gabrielle Vernier broke through the first defensive line and linked up again with her scrum-half, who sent Joanna Grisez over to score.
It was a dream start for the visitors, who looked in complete control as they capitalised on a flurry of Italian handling errors.
But that early dominance was disrupted in the seventh minute when Madoussou Fall-Raclot was shown a yellow card for a high tackle - France’s only card of the match. In a surprising tactical move during the sin-bin period, winger Émilie Boulard slotted into the back row of the French scrum to help cover the lock's absence among the forwards.
Even with the extra player, Italy struggled initially to break through France’s suffocating defence. But that was about to change. Nearing the end of the numerical advantage, the Azzurre powered over from a driving maul after a penalty to the corner, with hooker Vittoria Vecchini dotting down to level the scores.
That try ignited the Italians, who found confidence and a clear plan: keep hold of the ball and go toe-to-toe up front. Italy dominated possession (70%) during the rest of the half, blunting French attempts to break out and hammering away with penalty after penalty. Aura Muzzo was the one to finish off a relentless attacking passage with a try in the corner to give the hosts a deserved lead in the 25th minute.
France regrouped and made the most of only their second visit to the Italian 22, with fullback Morgane Bourgeois scoring out wide. But for just the second time in this year’s Championship, she missed the conversion, striking the post and leaving France trailing by two approaching the half-hour mark.
Italy were nearly in again, twice crossing the try-line, but each time the French defence just about held the ball up. Under growing pressure, France struggled with discipline, conceding 10 penalties in the first half to Italy’s two, and gifting the Azzurre further attacking platforms. Just before the break, another devastating maul ended with prop Silvia Turani crashing over, giving Italy a 21–12 half-time lead.
French hooker Manon Bigot summed it up at the interval: “Too many penalties, not disciplined enough. That makes it very hard to play our game and defend well.” It was the first time France had trailed at half-time in the 2025 Championship.
After the break, the tide began to turn. Italy conceded four penalties in the first ten minutes (France only one), and Morgane Bourgeois slotted three points to narrow the gap to 21–15 at the start of the second half. A crucial turnover by Alyssa D’Incá on Romane Ménager at the 50-minute mark denied France a clear try-scoring opportunity, prompting the French bench to bring on fresh legs, including the entire front row.
That injection of power helped swing momentum. A turnover by Vernier gave France another attacking opportunity, and Romane Ménager crashed over to reclaim the lead, 21-22. But the game was far from over.
Both benches made significant impacts as the final quarter descended into a war of attrition. Bourgeois uncharacteristically missed two penalties - one from 40 metres and another from just 20 - setting up a nerve-shredding finale. With five minutes left, France were held up over the Italian line. Moments later, a turnover by Italy again denied the visitors.
The breakthrough finally came with three minutes to play. A spilled ball was pounced on by Marine Ménager, who raced away for the bonus-point try, 21–29. Alexandra Chambon added the final flourish just before the whistle, sealing a 34–21 win that felt anything but comfortable.
A valiant effort from the Italians, who pushed the favourites all the way and came close to a famous upset in Parma. France escape with the win, but will know they were pushed to their absolute limit.
Guinness Player of the Match: Madoussou Fall-Raclot
Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; 14 Aura Muzzo; 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Sara Mannini; 11 Alyssa D’Incá; 10 Veronica Madia, 9 Alia Bitonci; 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 3 Sara Seye; 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Beatrice Veronese, 7 Alissa Ranuccini, 8 Elisa Giordano (c)
Replacements: 16 Desiree Spinelli, 17 Emanuela Stecca, 18 Gaia Maris, 19 Sara Tounesi, 20 Francesca Sgorbini, 21 Sofia Stefan, 22 Beatrice Capomaggi, 23 Beatrice Rigoni
France: 15 Morgane Bourgeois; 14 Joanna Grisez; 13 Marine Ménager (cc), 12 Gabrielle Vernier; 11 Émilie Boulard; 10 Carla Arbez, 9 Pauline Bourdon-Sansus; 1 Yllana Brosseau, 2 Manon Bigot, 3 Assia Khalfaoui; 4 Manaé Feleu (cc), 5 Madoussou Fall-Raclot; 6 Romane Ménager, 7 Séraphine Okemba, 8 Teani Feleu
Replacements: 16 Élisa Riffoneau, 17 Ambre Mwayembe, 18 Clara Joyeux, 19 Charlotte Escudero, 20 Axelle Berthoumieu, 21 Léa Champon, 22 Alexandra Chambon, 23 Lina Queyroi