First blood to Les Bleus. Or was it?

Theo Attissogbe kicks through and cleverly retains the ball before feeding Leo Barre for a jog in under the posts.

But the winger is adjudged to have received a forward pass by Thomas Ramos.

Italy win the penalty and point to the posts but Tommaso Allan pushes his effort just wide of the posts.

We remain level.

Italy go to the skies and force Theo Attissogbe into an error in the air.

They have weathered the early France storm and are now looking to impose themselves on the contest.

France bang on the door but Italy's scramble defence keeps them at bay brilliantly.

Gladiatorial from the hosts.

Thomas Ramos feeds Leo Barre inside the Italy 22 but the full-back, one of seven France changes, knocks on and Italy clear their lines.

Here come France, though, running it straight back.

An early penalty for France from the first breakdown.

The visitors kick for the corner and they've definitely set their stall out.

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Ramos gets us up and running...

Before we get underway, the home fans will have a chance to honour their former captain Sergio Parisse.

The Azzurri legend has presented the match ball, flanked by his children.

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Here we go then, both sets of players have made their way onto the field in Rome.

We're all set for the last game in round three of this year's men's Six Nations.

But first, time for the anthems...

• France have won 22 of their 25 Six Nations matches with Italy, drawing once and losing twice, with those defeats both coming in Rome in 2011 and 2013.

• This is the the 50th Test meeting between the two nations; France have won 45, Italy have won three and they drew 13-13 last year.

So how are we looking in the table?

Ireland continue to lead the way after three wins from three and with their hopes for the Grand Slam very much alive.

England maintained their title ambitions after beating Scotland, who are fourth.

France will be looking for a full return in Rome to leapfrog England and set-up a top-of-the-table clash in Dublin next up.

It's all poised quite beautifully...

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier on Saturday, Ireland clinched their 14th Triple Crown and remain on course for a record third successive Six Nations title after beating a resurgent Wales in Cardiff.

More highlights for you to enjoy from that one below...

Matt Dawson
2003 World Cup winner

I'm always in the camp of winning over entertainment.

Of course England want to entertain the fans, but when you're in that white shirt, you just want to win the game.

England have found a little edge over the past couple of games where they have gone behind and it is invaluable experience for these players to bounce back and grind out the win.

Read more here.

Image source, BBC Sport

I mentioned the thrilling end to Saturday in my opening post, so no prizes for guessing what I was referring to...

England regained the Calcutta Cup after a narrow one-point win over old rivals Scotland at Allianz Stadium.

Scotland fans may want to look away now, but I've dropped the highlights below in case you missed it.

One from the golden oldies now...

There is plenty of drama, despair, controversy and laughs as BBC Sport's pundits relive their Six Nations playing days.

It was agony for Italy the last time these two met.

Paolo Garbisi hit the post with a last-minute penalty, which would have handed the Azzurri a famous win over Les Bleus.

Rugby superstar Antoine Dupont talks about his friendship with Zinedine Zidane, pranks in the French camp, and how he used the Top 14 trophy as a surfboard!

Italy: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Gesi; P Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.

Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Zuliani, Vintcent, A Garbisi, Trulla.

France: Barre; Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos; Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.

Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu.