Future for France looks bright

Italy 13 France 56: What could have been a wake turned into a party, with a posse of French players returning to their Rome hotel just in time for breakfast yesterday. They may have lost their title, but France believe they still have cause to celebrate. Bernard Laporte admitted at the weekend that this year's Six Nations was as much about moulding a side for 2007 and the World Cup on home soil as defending their Grand Slam. "But what is really good is the young players who are coming through. They have brought enthusiasm which has benefited the whole team," said the coach. "I'm very pleased with the way our team has played throughout this tournament. It's a young team, a team for the future."

Less happy is the Italy coach John Kirwan, who may hear this week whether he still has a job after his side picked up their first wooden spoon since he took over in 2002. "I have no intention of leaving," said Kirwan, who has a contract until 2007. However, the Italian Rugby Federation president, Giancarlo Dondi, is less sure.

"I am very disappointed with the performance," said Dondi. "I will have to speak to the council and talk to the players who are the stars on the pitch and we will take a decision as soon as possible."

If they are honest, the players will tell their president it is not Kirwan's fault they leaked 179 points in five defeats. He has assembled a solid pack which possibly enjoys the darker arts too much but is undeniably brave.

However, that is where the talent runs out. On Saturday there were times when the backs looked inept. The biggest cloud on their horizon is the inevitability of a citing against Salvatore Perugini and possibly Santiago Dellape for the foul play that left Christophe Dominici unconscious for two minutes. Dellape's late shoulder set up the wing for what appeared to be a swinging arm by the tighthead prop.

France left the stadium in almost indecent haste, heading for their hotel to watch the second half of Wales and Ireland before welcoming Dominici back from hospital.

On Saturday David Marty added himself to the new names of whom Laporte is so proud. The Perpignan centre was solid in defence and quick enough to score two tries.

ITALY: Peens (L'Aquila); Robertson (Viadana), Masi (Viadana), Picone (Treviso), Nitoglia (Calvisano); Orquera (Padova), Troncon (Treviso); Lo Cicero (L'Aquila), Ongaro (Treviso), Perugini (Calvisano); Bortolami (Narbonne, capt), Dellape (Agen), Persico (Agen), Dal Maso (Treviso), S Parisse (Treviso). Replacements: Castrogiovanni (Calvisano) for Lo Cicero 30, Festuccia (Gran Parma) for Ongaro 57, Griffen (Calvisano) for Troncon, 60, Del Fava (Parma) for Dellape, 62, Pedrazzi (Viadana) for Robertson 70, Orlando (Treviso) for Dal Maso 76. Try: Robertson. Con: Peens. Pens: Peens 2. Sin-bin: Bortolami, 15.

FRANCE: Laharrague (Brive); Dominici (Stade F), Jauzion (Toulouse), Marty (Perpignon), Heymans (Toulouse); Delaigue (Castre), Yachvili (Biarritz); Marconnet (Stade F), Bruno (Sale), Mas (Perpignan), Pelous (Toulouse, capt), Thion (Biarritz); Betsen (Biarritz), Nyanga (Bezier), Bonnaire (Bourgoin). Replacements: Traille (Biarritz) for Dominici 37, De Villiers (Stade F) for Mas half-time, Servat (Toulouse) for Bruno 61, Michalak (Toulouse) for Delaigue 63, Lamboley (Toulouse) for Nyanga 70, Mignoni (Clermont) for Yachvili 72, Pape (Bourgoin) for Pelous 75, Tries: Marty 2, Nyanga, Jauzion, Laharrague, Lamboley, Mignoni. Cons: Yachvili 4, Michalak 2. Pens: Yachvili 3.

Referee: D Courtney (Ireland).