How France defeated Italy

Ah, yes, what a match. Japan's historic victory over South Africa has made it to the front page of The Sunday Times. What a fantastic match that was. You can read the report by clicking here. 

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France coach  Philippe Saint-Andre says Yoann Huget may have suffered a serious knee injury that could end his World Cup.

"It looks like Yoann Huget has done his cruciate ligament - this is not the best news," Saint-Andre tells ITV Sport.

"He is a very important player and a big player to lose for this team. After that injury for four or five minutes we were a bit shaky.

"It's very important that we started with a win and we knew how tough Italy were. We wanted four tries but Italy defended well. We have started very well but we must continue. We have a win, but a bad injury."

Yohann Huget's right leg is in a brace. The Frenchman is in the changing room and is attempting to put on his trainers. He might not be wearing his rugby boots for a while. France coach Philippe Saint-Andre suggests the winger has injured his cruciate.

Quote Message: Business-like might not be the sexiest of phrases but it's better than being a rabble, which Philippe Saint-Andre's side have been for the best part of four years. On that form, and with that level of organisation, the French could be a serious threat at this year's World Cup.

Business-like might not be the sexiest of phrases but it's better than being a rabble, which Philippe Saint-Andre's side have been for the best part of four years. On that form, and with that level of organisation, the French could be a serious threat at this year's World Cup.

France flanker Thierry Dusautoir tells ITV Sport: "I'm quite satisfied with the win. Unfortunately we didn't control the game in the second half but we're satisfied. France is not too far so hopefully the fans will continue to support us."

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It was the men wearing red who topped most of the charts in that match. The most metres made? Scott Spedding (128m). Most clean breaks? Scott Spedding (2). Most tackles made? Thierry Dusautoir (12). Most turnovers won? Thierry Dusautoir (4). 

France open with a win and such a performance suggests they could be a threat in this tournament. Italy are left to rue indiscipline and a lack of cutting edge.

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How about this piece of analysis from ex-England hooker Brian Moore?

"France were safe in the knowledge they will win their next two games in the build-up to the showdown with Ireland, who were more impressive in their win against Canada.

"But this match was always going to be after the Lord Mayor's Show after Japan versus South Africa. We had the greatest starter of our lives and there was no room for the main course."

There wasn't a hint of a sniff that Italy were going to win that match. France will be relatively happy with the performance and, of course, the victory but the injury to Yohann Huget will ruin Philippe Saint-Andre's night. 

Craig Joubert decides he's seen enough. There's no point awarding Italy another penalty, he thinks to himself. The West End is there to be enjoyed, he thinks to himself. Game over. France convincing winners. 

A final flourish from Italy, but they're attacking play is a touch too predictable. They do gain territory, however, and earn a penalty in the dying seconds. 

Three minutes remaining and the ball is in French hands. "Allez les bleu," chant the crowd as they Scott Spedding gain acres with a wonderful swivel of the hips and a chance of pace. But the full-back is turned over so that's the end of that. 

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Former Scotland international Gregor Townsend on Twitter.

"France have never looked like they would score four tries so haven't put too much into it."

Frederic Michalak has done his work for the evening, collecting 19 points and orchestrating the best of French play. The outside-half is replaced by Remi Tales.

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Italy's penalty count - shown by the circles in the graphic below - is going to cost them this evening. Martin Castrogiovanni, Josh Furno and Alessandro Zanni have all been penalised three times each among the Azzurri's 18 indiscretions.

They mess up the line-out 5m from the French tryline, too, which allows the French to bring a halt to wave after wave of blue-shirted attacks. 

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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.

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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.

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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...

"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.

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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. 

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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... 

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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. 

"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."

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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...

Thanks to a penalty, Italy make a rare visit into enemy territory and they make inroads deep into the French half.  

Italy scrum-half Edoardo Gori snipes around the fringes and he can see the whitewash, but he falls short... 

In the next phase it's Gori again, springing from the floor to attack a bouncing ball, which bobbles over the line. The scrum-half touched the ball, but did he knock it forward? Probably. No try is awarded. 

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"A fantastic score from France. It looked like they had made a mess of it but it came back to Frederic Michalak and he threaded through a tight grubber kick for Slimani."

Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live by pressing the audio button at the top of the page.

France smelling a wounded prey and the men in red turning into ruthless predators. The French faithful baying for bloody, singing La Marseillaise at full voice.

Italy need to hold on as Noa Nakaitaci is given a chance to press the accelerator again. The Azzurri hold firm this time, though, but that's not going to stop the French chorus. 

Martin Castrogiovanni caught offside and Craig Joubert blows his whistle in the opening minute, presenting Frederic Michalak with a simple chance which he converts. 

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We're off again. Green lights for go. 

France have returned to the pitch and will probably be hoping for more of the same in this half. Les Rouges were dominant in the opening 40 minutes and perhaps should have scored a try or two. 

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Six penalty kicks is all that's on the scoreboard at half-time. We're metaphorically eating turkey curry for the third consecutive day after a glorious Christmas Day feast.

England World Cup winner Will Greenwood is loving watching Louis Picamoles.

Sergio Parisse is clearly a big blow loss to Italy. 

But Samuela Vunisa is a fearsome ball carrier and his battle with opposite Number eight Louis Picamoles will be key to the outcome of this game.

Vunisa has only had two carries but has provided his team's biggest 'go forward' with 24m.

In contrast, the Frenchman made 62m from 10 carries, beating five men in the first half.

"France are in control with a 12-point lead but they need more accuracy in general play."

And that's the first half over with. Can we not just watch a replay of South Africa versus Japan again? Everything else just feels dull in comparison. 

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Louis Picamoles pumping down field, bulldozing through every blue shirt in his way.. he evades one tackle, bounces off another, a third defender is beaten... The only way Italy can stop the number eight is to do so illegally. 

Frederic Michalak back in charge of the tee and he extends his team's lead going into the break. 

"That was an incredible strike of the ball from Scott Spedding. It must've been 55 yards through the air - an incredible hit."

The sound of Craig Joubert's whistle has been a familiar noise in this half. Toot! He's at it again because the scrum folds like a deckchair in the wind. The Italians at fault, says the South Africa. 

It'll need a mammoth kick for the three points and the man for the job is full-back Scott Spedding.

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It is fair to say that former England hooker Brian Moore is not referee Craig Joubert's biggest fan.

If you had a little bet with your mates over who would be top tackler in this World Cup, Thierry Dusautoir would probably have been in your thinking. Correct? Thought so. 

The France flanker has started with eight in the first half hour, including a turnover. The Toulouse blind-side has also carried three times. What a guy. 

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Italy struggling on their own scrum. The front row collapses, the rest of the forwards follow like a pack of cards, but the ball finds its way to Edoardo Gori, yet he's prevented from releasing the pass by Sebastien Tillous-Borde's stray foot. 

Tommaso Allan faces a tricky kick, but his effort just about has enough juice and direction to sail between the posts. 

This match hasn't the va va voom of a South Africa versus Japan. But perhaps no match ever has. 

Neither France nor Italy have burst into full Technicolour yet. Penalties spoiling currently spoiling the spectacle. 

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Former England fly-half Toby Flood is not impressed with the TMO's performance.

Here are some stats for you: despite France not contesting the breakdown - content to allow Italy to recycle possession easily and get their defensive line sorted out - the Azzurri have been profligate in possession, turning the ball over four times in the opening 25 minutes.

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France finding some soprt of rhythm, though it isn't quite yet the equivalent of a full-on jive or jitterbug. Nine penalties coughed up by Italy inside their own half. 

Sometimes Frederic Michalak punishes them, sometimes he doesn't. On this occasion he arrows his effort through he middle. 

The bobbling ball drags France backwards and the men in red lose acres of ground by failing to find their man with a series if iffy passes. Danger is averted thanks to a scrambled defence - Louis Picamoles is the man the French should thank. 

This game has yet to settle down into any real rhythm or pattern. Italy started poorly but have got a foothold in the match in the last 10 minutes despite disruption to their side before and during the game. Here's some graphics on possession and territory for you...

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Bad news for the Italians as the experienced Andrea Masi has left the pitch, the centre has apparently injured his Achilles and that could be the end of his tournament. Enrico Bacchin replaces him. 

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The Italian scrum wobbling. Matias Aguero penalised for slipping and his fellow prop Martin Castrogiovanni looks into the night sky in despair. 

Frederic Michalak's radar needs fine-tuning, however, as he hits the uprights  again. Italy off the hook. 

Italy have made a modest start, but their stand-in captain Leonardo Ghiraldini has immediately impressed with the extra responsibility on his shoulders.

Four tackles in the first 14 minutes have been augmented by 18m gained from three carries, one of which was a clean break that set up a penalty opportunity. 

Italy currently monopolising possession and it's France's indiscipline which is currently being punished. "Allez les bleus," cry the crowd, Twickenham turned into a patch for Gallic patriotic fervour. 

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Where were we? Ah, yes, Italy bursting forward and earning a penalty in a kickable distance but the Azzurri still haven't found a reliable kicker...       Tommaso Allan messes up. An ugly miss from the outside half. 

"Shaun Veldsman has not had a good couple of days as the TMO. Again they have had to go back when the ball was teed up for the conversion."

Italy are going to have to be more disciplined than they have been in the first five minutes. Three penalties already conceded, giving France field position and then chances for points.

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France were denied a try, but Frederic Michalak does some damage with the boot nevertheless, ensuring the French come away from the Italian 22 with some points at least. 

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...

"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. 

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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. 

"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."

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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. 

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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? 

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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...

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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."

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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. 

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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.

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"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. 

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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.

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Hello there. Welcome to live coverage of France's Pool D clash with Latin rivals Italy. If you've not heard - and what I'm about to say is the truth and the whole truth - Japan have beaten South Africa. 

Once you've lifted yourself off the floor and regained your composure let's go to Twickenham for the final World Cup match of the day. 

How do we follow the unbelievable? If Italy and France create a World Cup story as spectacular and entertaining as Japan and South Africa did then these next two hours or so will be incredible.