France in control at half-time

France 10 Italy 0

A superb try by number eight Imanol Harinordoquy gave dominant France a 10-0 half-team lead in their RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Italy in Paris today.

The number eight beat two Italian defenders out on the wing before stretching over for the only try of the first half.

Young scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde added the conversion and he also booted an early penalty to make up the scoring.

Try-scoring opportunities were few and far between in the first half with France, despite dominating possession and territory, frequently frustrated by some determined Italian defence.

Elissalde had an early chance to prove he could fill Michalak's kicking boots when France were awarded a penalty on the Italian 22.

But the scrum-half was unable to take advantage, pulling his effort short of the near post.

France, playing in an unfamiliar white kit, were camped in the Italy half for much of the opening stages but found the Italian defence in determined mood.

Concerted pressure eventually led to Italy conceding another penalty after 12 minutes, slightly further out than the first but more central.

And this time Elissalde was to make no mistake, slotting his kick home comfortably to give France a 3-0 lead.

The hosts looked set to grab the opening try of the game moments after that following a superb move that saw flanker Serge Betsen involved on a number of occasions.

The ball eventually found its way to centre Damien Traille and his chip-kick over the Italian defence seemed destined to be collected by full-back Nicolas Brusque on the far side.

But the bounce did not favour the Biarritz man and the ball bobbled into touch.

Much as they had against England, Italy were giving little away in defence at the outset but their try-line was finally breached after 23 minutes following a superb score from Imanol Harinordoquy.

There was still plenty of work to do when the big number eight received possession on the near touchline with two Italians bearing down on him.

But the France vice-captain showed remarkably poise to first sidestep winger Mirko Bergamasco and then great power and athleticism to hand-off Matteo Barbini and stretch over the tryline to touch down near the corner.

Elissalde was again spot-on with a difficult conversion to take France 10-0 up midway through the half.

The more the game progressed the more Italy were finding themselves pushed back and it was only some resolute defending that prevented France from making further inroads.