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Down in Rome France beats Italy, stays in contention for Six Nations
Updated: Sunday March 04, 2001 8:08 AM
ROME (AP) -- France scored two first-half tries and held on for a 30-19 win Saturday against a penalty-prone Italy in a Six Nations match at Stadio Flaminio. After Italy notched its first try, France's Sebastien Bonetti dove across for a try with three minutes left to seal the victory for the visitors. French kick specialist Christophe Lamaison struggled throughout the match, but was able to convert two free attempts in the second half to keep Italy at bay. France, coming off its first rugby union loss to Ireland in Dublin since 1983, stays in contention for the Six Nations crown. Italy looks to be heading toward another last-place finish in the Six Nations, having lost all seven contests since winning its debut Six Nations match last season against Scotland. Unable to overcome its penalty problems in the second half, Italy notched its only try eight minutes from the final whistle when Massimiliano Perziano outraced two opponents to touch down Manuel Dallan's well-placed lead pass. In a balanced first half, Italy kept in striking distance with three free kicks converted by Argentine-born star Diego Dominguez.
Lamaison was off the mark in the first half, missing attempts from the 30-meter (yard) range in the 21st and 36th minutes. The fly half missed another two easy attempts in the second half. But the visitors were quicker on the attack throughout, taking the lead for good in the 14th minute following the first Dominguez kick. Winger Jean-Luc Sadourny picked up a bouncing Lamaison lead kick and crossed in for the first try. Lamaison's conversion made it 7-3. Sadourny set up France's second try in the 26th, feeding speedy Philippe Bernat-Salles for the try. Dominguez's free kick three minutes later finished the first-half scoring to leave Italy trailing 14-9. Lineups: Italy -- Christian Stoica; Massimiliano Perziano, Walter Pozzebon, Denis Dallan, Manuel Dallan; Diego Dominguez, Alessandro Troncon; Celestino Paoletti (Propezzi, Alessandro Moscardi, Andrea Lo Cicero, Wilhelmus Visser, Andrea Gritti, Carlo Checchinato, Mauro Bergamasco, Aaron Ronald Persico. France -- Sebastien Bonetti; Christophe Dominici; Philippe Bernat-Salles; Thomas Lombard; Jean-Luc Sadourny; Christophe Lamaison, Fabien Galthie; Raphael Ibanez, Pieter de Villiers, Christian Califano (Sylvain Marconnet, 50th), Fabien Pelous, David Auradou, Olivier Magne, Christophe Moni (Serge Betsen, 40th), Christophe Juillet.
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