The Italians have the endeavor, patiently recycling from side to side 5m from the French tryline, but have they the guile? France offside again, and the Azzurri opt for touch again. 

Less than 10 minutes remain and a France victory is a foregone conclusion. That doesn't stop the Italians from putting a string of phases together. 

Tommaso Allan floored by the giant Mathieu Bastareaud, but France were offside. Line-out Italy 5m from the France line.

Image source, AFP

Noa Nakaitaci gathers a Tommaso Allan kick, which allows the French to run back towards the Italians. But any hope of free-flowing moves end with the sound of Craig Joubert's whistle, who punishes Italy once more at the breakdown. 

Frederic Michalak with the touch finder. France 5m from Italy's line. 

France may well be just 'doing enough' to win this game, but there is no denying Italy have crept back into the match.This is how the territory and possession looked at 60 minutes.

Image source, Opta

France have enjoyed 59% of possession in this half and they're currently dominating territory, too. Italy punished at the scrum, allowing the French to find touch 10m from the Italian tryline...

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live

"It is almost as if France's mindset was making sure they didn't trip up against Italy. France don't look threatened and it looks like they have one or two more gears to go to if needed."

Press the audio icon at the top of the page to listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy used to be strict exponents of 10-man rugby but they have been eager to develop their game and tonight there are signs it is in place.

Fly-half Tommaso Allan has passed 15 times compared to just four kicks. He's also run it effectively once.

This is a long way from the conservative Diego Domínguez era.

France make a couple of substitutions, but there's no time to mention them as France are on the attack. Frederic Michalak conducting play, putting his men into space... 

But a fine tackle from Simone Favaro gets his man, who is Alexandre Dumoulin, and the ball slips out of the France centre's grasp. 

Who's laughing at France now? Ex-England centre Will Greenwood isn't.

Promising from Italy, very promising. They drive on from the line-out but Alessandro Zanni ruins everything by holding on in the tackle. Before they know it, the Azzurri are back in their own half. 

Warm applause for Morgan Parra as he replaces Sebastien Tillous-Borde. Can he give France their second wind? The men in red must first defend an Italian line-out 20m or so from their line first...

The camera focuses on Yoann Huget who fails to keep the tears at bay, and then hides underneath his shirt like a demoralised tortoise. That picture suggests the winger will not play any further part in this tournament. 

Image source, Reuters

Former England hooker Brian Moore grudgingly thinks France could have a fine tournament.

That try will have given them hope and Italy really aren't out of this game.

France have now made more tackles than their opponents as Italy string together some decent phases.

If they can behave at the breakdown, they have a chance... 

Image source, Opta

Yoann Huget needs two men to carry him from the field and the French winger winces as he hops off on one leg. He's replaced by  Gael Fickou, an able deputy but the French will hope Huget is available for the rest of the tournament. 

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live

"That try came from a good set play. Leonardo Ghiraldini is having a great game and that's the third time he has got a run around the ruck and then Venditti finished it off.

"Italy will keep coming - they won't give up."

Image source, AFP

Italy seem content to pitch up their tents and camp in the French half. The Azzurri recycling possession and gaining yard after yard until they find themselves 2m from the tryline...