Thank you for joining us for this nail-biting encounter between Italy and France.

The defending champions were huge favourites ahead of kick-off and Italy were minutes away from causing a huge upset.

France will face Ireland next week and will have to be sharper in defence. France's defence coach Shaun Edwards said today's match saw the most penalties he's ever had while coaching with France wracking up 18.

Italy head to Twickenham and have the opportunity to create history once again. They have never beaten England and they are in the form to win.

Have a great evening and see you next week for more action!

The Six Nations Rugby Special on BBC Two will start at 6pm GMT and Ugo Monye has teased one of the topics they will dig into.

Duhan van der Merwe's cracking try will be one of many with Ireland's performance against Wales and Italy's close encounter with France also under the magnifying glass.

If that isn't enough analysis for you, there is also the Rugby Union Daily live on Radio 5 Live from 8pm GMT.

Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan told ITV: "It's quite tough to swallow this defeat. We had our chances. In the first half we had too many errors. We gave 19 points to the French off of our mistakes

"We have to find our balance of execution. We will be more diligent the more we do. There's a lot of positive to take from this. We are very confident for next week's game.

"It's small margins. I need to make those kicks and next time we can kick to win as well.

"Were improving every week. We have to start winning as well now. We know we can win. We showed some good rugby today."

This is only the third time in Six Nations history where there have been three away wins in a round.

Wales lost at the Principality Stadium to Ireland, England suffered defeat at Twickenham to Scotland and Italy lost to France at the Stadio Olimpico.

The competition in the tournament is palpable, anyone could beat anyone on any given day.

France's penalty count ended at 18 for the match this afternoon. A huge step back for Fabien Galthie's side who averaged nine penalties a game last year.

But they will take the win, their 14th on the bounce.

France's Paul Willemse told ITV: "We are really happy for the win but credit Italy, they have really lifted their game since last year. They put us under pressure so it was a tough game.

"They utilised their opportunities quite well and put us under pressure like that.

"This competition is the best in the world so we are really under pressure and each game is going to be a challenge."

Danny Care
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Italy never gave in and if they played as well as they did today they will cause England problems.

They came so, so close but just need that cutting edge when they really need it to get themselves over the line against the best teams in the world.

They have shown incredible heart and skill and with a bit more pragmatism they will beat somebody in this Six Nations. They might get a couple of wins if they play like that.

They will learn from this and go to Twickenham a better team.

It is heartbreak for Italy who were ahead for a portion of that game. But they can take huge heart from it.

In the 2022 tournament France came out 37-10 winners and this year the French were fighting for their lives to keep their five-point lead.

Italy do not come out of this empty handed either. They have a losing bonus-point and are above England in the table on points difference. They are fourth after round one.

It is a clean line-out but France bring down the maul legally and win the penalty.

Italy were so close to their first win over France in the Six Nations since 2013. And it is clear by France's muted celebrations from their win.

A huge performance from Italy who just miss out on history.

The kick is not as close to the try line as Tommaso Allan would have liked. but they get the ball away cleanly from the line-out.

They are on the attack, can they clinch a famous victory here? Italy win a breakdown penalty, wow! Tommaso Allan kicks it into the corner.

My heart is thumping.

France lose the line-out and Italy run it but it's eventually loose. The ball comes off of Thomas Ramos and so Italy have the line-out and it's clean once more.

Italy have the advantage as France are offside. They try a kick through with Ange Capuozzo but it comes back to the advantage.

They kick to corner.

France are not happy as they feel Ange Capuozzo touched the ball before it went out of play but Matthew Carley is adamant it was already out. There's an Italian line-out and it is clean.

Italy are being patient on the ball as they run through the phases in their own half. They eventually get over the halfway line but France expertly hold the ball in the ruck and win the penalty.

France may just close this out now.

Italy kick away but France kick it back to them, Ange Capuozzo runs it as Italy search for a winning try.

This would be quite remarkable if they pull this off after the Wales win in last year's Six Nations and beating Australia for the first time in the autumn.

But it is France who have the next penalty with Italy knocking on. Stephen Varney is off for Alessandro Fusco.

It is just wide! Wow, this game is a nail-biter.

Italy were operating on an advantage and they attempt a kick through but it doesn't come off.

Tommaso Allan points to the sticks.

That was France's 16th penalty of the match.

Danny Care
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Up-the-jumper stuff from the French sucked in the defenders and it was all about the power. Great impact from Jalibert the fly-half.

Italy have worked so hard to fight back into the game but the French found a way over the line to set up a fascinating last 12 minutes.

Italy make four changes as Federico Zani , Edoardo Iachizzi, Giovanni Pettinelli and Luca Bigi come on.

A huge upset is still on our hands.

Now feels like a good time to remind you all of what is on the line here.

Italy have only beaten France twice in the Six Nations, the last time in 2013. France have won the last nine matches!

A huge improvement from the Italian team to be pushing the world number two side.

Julien Marchand is off for Gaetan Barlot and Gregory Alldritt is replaced by Sekou Macalou as France make more changes.

Matthew Carley warns Michele Lamaro about his players' actions at the breakdown. France have the scrum, Italy fans are you on the edge of your seats?

Italy come away with it and Ange Capuozzo kicks but cannot get to it. Italy are on the front foot again though, could today be the day they end their losing streak against France?

Italy dive away a penalty though, this game could go either way.

Danny Care
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

This is amazing. Italy have not won at home in the Six Nations for 10 years! Could this be the day?