Against an impressive Italian side, the French struggled to build on a strong first half, but despite a good fight back from the hosts, les Bleuets held on for an opening success.

Italy took an early lead when Edoardo Padovani slotted a penalty after just two minutes, but the French hit back almost immediately.

Just five minutes later full-back Vincent Mallet responded in kind, evening up the scores.

With both teams looking a little rusty for their first game of the tournament it was the French scrum which was in complete control, whereas the Italians dominated the lineout.

The visitors edged the possession and territory, and it was through their pair of half-backs, Baptiste Serin and Montpellier's Selponi, that they controlled proceedings.

Midway through the half a five-metre scrum looked a perfect opportunity for the French to score the first try, but a sloppy set-piece almost blew the chance.

However Serin spread the ball for Selponi, who produced a magical dummy to dance through the defence and dot down under the posts. Mallet added the conversion to make it 10-3 to the visitors.

With the clock winding down at the end of the half les Bleuets added another penalty through Mallet, as the Italians were penalised for not rolling away, making it 13-3 at half-time.

France looked like the team in control but the Italians came out transformed in the second half and put their opponents under a lot of pressure.

With neither team able to take advantage of their possession, it was the Italians who scored next with another penalty from Padovani.

France had chances to stretch further clear but Mallet was struggling from the kicking tee while Selponi missed a long-range drop goal.

And with three minutes to go the Italians piled on the pressure deep in the French 22, only for their scrum to let them down once more.