Was it a try? This is a remarkable series of events. The TMO initially awards the try, judging Louis Picamoles' offload to have gone forward off Scott Spedding. Noa Nakaitaci gathered the bobbling ball and crossed over. 

Initially the try was awarded, but another replay showed the winger failed to ground the ball. Craig Joubert asks the TMO to think again - and it's no try. Predictably, the French fans boo. 

The Italians need to be careful at the breakdown, another toot of Craig Joubert's whistle, another Italian error. La Marseillaise rings around Twickenham... France with a chance to boot deep into Italian territory...

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

"Italy cannot afford to be ill-disciplined, certainly not in their own half. If they are giving penalties away then they will be punished."

Oh Quentin Geldenhuys, why did you kick the ball away? Italy have conceded three penalties in the first five minutes. Frederic Michalak has another chance to give his side the lead. He's just inside the Italian half, a smidgen to the left of the posts, and this time it sails through. 

Image source, AFP

Frederic Michalak is still France's outside-half and he's still as unpredictable as ever. The Frenchman hits the uprights and the ball falls safely into Italian hands. 

France wearing red shirts and socks for the occasion, with Italy in their home strip of azure blue. If you're just joining us, you've not missed much. France have a scrum inside their own half and Italy collapse it illegally, giving Les Bleus - or should we call them les rouges? - an early kick at goal. 

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

"I certainly think there's going to be a battle in the front row. France have got 140 caps' experience on the bench so late in the game I would expect France to get on top.

"They have been a shambles for four years but now they've woken up and they are genuine contenders to win the World Cup."

Image source, AP

Craig Joubert is the man in charge this evening and he toots his whistle to start the match. France with an early free-kick and scrum-half Sebastien Tillous-Borde near the halfway line decides to tap and go. Adventure. 

A stentorian roar from a super-charged Martin Castrogiovanni after a rousing Italian anthem. The prop, who is one of three centurions in the Italian squad, needs no pep talk for this one. 

Image source, Reuters

What's happened in the past between these two sides? Well, France convincingly beat Italy 29-0 at this year's Six Nations and no other side has 'nilled' the Azzurri more than France. Does that help with predictions? 

Image source, BBC Sport

The players charged with entertaining us this evening sprint on to the pitch, snorting like raging bulls. It's a full house at Twickenham and what an amphitheater it is - strobe lighting, dramatic music, flags waving...

Image source, Reuters

Before anyone says anything, we're not talking about this live commentary. "Dull, sad and monotonous," is how a newspaper in France has described France's World Cup base Croydon. 

Have they not been to the Museum of Croydon or to Croydon Airport Visitor Centre? Clearly not.

To make matters worse, the bus carrying the French squad was issued with a ticket by a traffic warden this week. It hasn't been the best of weeks for the French in London, will it get worse? 

Another player missing today is veteran centre Mirco Bergamasco, who was not selected by Italy head coach Jacques Brunel. 

The Italian took it well, though. "The coach doesn't have relations with the players, he doesn't speak and he doesn't communicate with them," he said.

"He has failed to create a group, both on and off the pitch. He usually only refers to four or five players and forgets the rest. And that's not enough when there are 31 players."

Image source, Getty Images

What's the best way to prepare for a World Cup? Put on a surgical mask and perform life-saving surgery half naked. Or maybe spend a painful few minutes in a cryotherapy chamber at the University of Surrey. I forget which one Martin Castrogiovanni and co chose. 

Image source, Getty Images

Japan's upset has captured the imagination...

Mr Dirs has ruined my news. I was going to say that a team doesn't want to be without their talisman for a World Cup opener against France, but Ben has already said that. 

Anyway, Italy will have to manage without usual captain Sergio Parisse. 

The number eight has been given more time to recover after having fluid drained from his leg following an injury sustained against Wales.

Image source, BBC Sport

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at Twickenham

"To be honest, Twickenham seems in a state of confusion following Japan's barely believable victory over the Springboks. But there is a game to be won and suddenly it looks like Italy can go out and win it. 

"Revolution is in the air at the World Cup, although revolutions require charismatic leaders and Sergio Parisse, Italy's talisman, is out injured."

Testing, testing - one, two, three... The sound system is working which means it's time to say that you can listen to BBC Radio 5 live coverage of this match on this page. You can also get score and result alerts straight to your phone via the BBC Sport app. If the last bit is news to you - click here to find out more. 

Image source, BBC Sport

What kind of team has France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre selected? A fairly strong one. 

Les Bleus are without injured centre Wesley Fofana. The 27-year-old has yet to recover from a thigh injury and that gives Alexandre Dumoulin an opportunity at inside centre.

Dumoulin's inclusion is one of two changes to the team which beat Scotland in their warm-up match earlier this month, with lock Yoann Maestri also starting.

Image source, BBC Sport