France player ratings vs Italy | 2023 Guinness Six Nations

France player ratings: It would have been near unthinkable for France to have lost their Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome, but they came damn close.

How could it be any other way; the favourites for the Rugby World Cup against a side that hadn’t won at home game in the Six Nations in ten years?

In the end it was a close, close call for Fabien Galthie’s side; with an ever-improving Italian side under Kieran Crowley refusing to go away, making the French work into the final second.

15. Thomas Ramos – 5
Pounced on a loose ball in the second minute and it looked like try time for France, but it wasn’t to be. Very nearly fumbled his gift-wrapped 18th-minute try care of Ntamack. Looked flighty late on, not a characteristic any side wants in a fullback.

14. Damian Penaud – 6
The Bordeaux-bound Penaud got on the end of a few decent attacking shapes but was kept relatively quiet in the first half. His attempted kick over Varney was a tad too French. Another player that looked rattled at times.

13. Gael Fickou – 7.5
Didn’t have a huge amount of work on his desk in the eternal city but his hand-off on Italian hooker Giacomo Nicoterra was very impressive. Not unlike Garry Ringrose for Ireland, tends to be found making things happen in attack or pulling off clutch tackles in defence. Hard to oversell just how much value he brings to the French midfield.

12. Yoram Moefana – 6
Looked powerful on the ball and happily obliged when asked to truck the ball up repeatedly in a congested Roman midfield. Solid operator.

11. Dumortier – 7.5
The rookie wing was turned over with his first touch of an international ball. It got better from there, scoring from a beautifully weighted crossfield kick from Ntamack. You can see why he’s the leading try scorer in the Top 14, as it was a pretty solid first cap.

10. Romain Ntamack – 7
It was armchair ride stuff in the first half for the Toulouse star given the Italians were generously intent on coughing up try opportunities for their guests in the Stadio Olimpico. His crossfield kick for Ramos’ try was superb, bettered only by his second to debutant Dumortier. For all that, an under pressure France seemed to improve when Ntamack was replaced by Jailbert.

9. Antoine Dupont – 6.5
A constant menace who seemed to cause panic in the Italian ranks every time he was on the ball. His performance was typically excellent but the question might be what role as a leader he played, or didn’t play, when French heads appeared dropped in the second half when they didn’t have it all their own way.

1. Cyril Baille – 7
Some trademark big carries from the loosehead and scrummaged well. His pre-planned exit at 50 minutes didn’t make a great deal of sense.

2. Julian Marchand – 5
Was asked by referee Matthew Carley if we wanted to be marched by back after moaning following a penalty in the 29th minute. Maybe should concentrate on making plays as opposed to demonstrating with the referee and punching the ground in frustration.

3. Uini Atonio – 7
The man mountain was sporting a slimmer physique and looked all the fitter for it. France certainly had the upper hand at the setpiece with himself and Baille on the field.

4. Thibaud Flament – 8
Fortune favours the brave and it favoured Flament when his charge down bounced perfectly into his hands for his second international try. Continues to impress.

5. Paul Willemse – 6.5
Back in blue after missing the Autumn Nations Series with injury and was on light piano shifting duties today. One of a number of French bruisers that looked to run out of puff as the Italian pack grew into the game.

6. Anthony Jelonch – 5
A somewhat workmanlike shift from the loose forward, with little of the all-action version of Jelonch we’re used to seeing.

7. Charles Ollivon – 5.5
Denied a try by the TMO after he hauled down an Italian defender leading to the opportunity. His yellow card that conceded a penalty try in the 51st minute triggered France’s considerable wobble.

Game on! ?

A sensational solo effort from World Rugby Men's Breakthrough Player of the Year Ange Capuzzo has brought Italy right back into this clash ? #Rugby #sixnations2023 pic.twitter.com/1qD0jVB4ga

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 5, 2023

8. Gregory Alldritt – 6
Done up like a kipper by the sheer individual brilliance of Ange Capuzzo. He isn’t the first and he won’t be the last. A blot in an otherwise respectable copybook.

Replacements – 7.5
You couldn’t have asked for much more from Matthieu Jalibert, who took the game by the neck when he came on. Sekou Macalou threw himself about and brought some much-needed energy to an emotionally flat French side.