Italy player ratings: Despite a couple of bright individual performances, Italy were overrun by France’s unplayable blend of power and pace in a 73-24 route in Rome.
A handful of players put their hands up, but for most, it was a humbling afternoon in Rome.
Here’s how we rated the Italy players;
1. Danilo Fischetti – N/A
Lasted just 16 minutes before leaving the field. No time to make a meaningful impact.
2. Gianmarco Lucchesi – 5
A tough day in the office against a powerful French pack. Had a couple of decent carries but struggled to assert himself in the set-piece.
Italy
France
3. Simone Ferrari – 5
Battled away at scrum-time and put in a few tackles, but couldn’t cope with France’s sheer power. Conceded territory and momentum at key moments.
4. Niccolò Cannone – 5
Solid in the lineout when called upon, but didn’t deliver the heavy lifting Italy needed to combat France’s physical edge. Faded as the game wore on.
5. Federico Ruzza – 6
One of Italy’s standouts in the tight exchanges. Showed lovely hands in the build-up to Brex’s try and was generally industrious in open play.
6. Sebastian Negri – 6
Threw himself into contact with typical gusto, but his discipline was questionable. Gave away a couple of penalties and went off with a worrying injury, only to return a few minutes later.
7. Michele Lamaro – 4
Normally a leader by example, but this was not his day. Struggled to impose himself at the breakdown and was too quiet in defence. Possibly his worst performance in an Azzurri shirt.
8. Lorenzo Cannone – 5
Showed glimpses of his ball-carrying abilities, breaking a couple of tackles. However, he couldn’t live with the unrelenting physicality of the French back row for long periods.
Attack 
252m
Post Contact Metres
444m
9. Martin Page-Relo – 6.5
A bright spark at times, bringing zip to the breakdown and distribution. Can hold his head high for a decent showing despite the pack being under the pump.
10. Paolo Garbisi – 6.5
An up-and-down display became more ‘up’ than ‘down’ by the final whistle. Mixed some brilliant attacking touches with the odd error, but grew into the game and challenged France’s defensive line. Took his try well, care of a lovely snipe from his younger brother.
11. Simone Gesi – 3.5
Anonymous for large stretches. Struggled to get on the ball or make a defensive statement. A day to forget.
12. Tommaso Menoncello – 6
Carried with real intent and showed flashes of attacking flair, not least in his brillaint individual try, but never quite imposed himself in defence. Needed more steel to combat the French power game.
Juan Ignacio Brex – 6
Combined well with Menoncello at times and threatened with ball in hand – taking his try well – yet lacked the bite in defence to halt France’s marauding runners. A mixed bag overall.
14. Ange Capuozzo – 6.5
A constant live wire, in attack at least. Asked questions of the French defence whenever he got possession, although he had limited opportunities to do so. His defence creaked in the latter stages.
15. Tommaso Allan – 5
Kicked okay, but didn’t exactly set the world on fire. As for his defence—let’s just say it ended on a pretty mediocre note. A day to forget.
Replacements
16. Giacomo Nicotera – 5
Tried to bring energy to a struggling pack but was outmuscled at the breakdown.
17. Mirco Spagnolo – 5
Looked a bit lost after coming on so early. Didn’t have much impact aside from a couple of defensive interventions.
18. Giosuè Zilocchi – 5
Tackled gamely but was part of a front row that never got on top.
19. Riccardo Favretto – 5.5
Struggled to impose himself physically or offer the dynamism Italy needed off the bench.
20. Manuel Zuliani – 5
Got through a handful of tackles but made little headway against France’s formidable loose forwards.
21. Ross Vintcent – 6
The Exeter Chiefs man showed good explosive pace in flashes.
22. Alessandro Garbisi – 7
Linked beautifully with his brother for Italy’s try. Injected pace and clarity into the attack, showing real promise.
23. Jacopo Trulla – 7
Brought genuine attacking intent when introduced. Looked to break the line and added some spark in the closing stages.
