Six Nations 2024: Paolo Garbisi says 'sorry' after penalty miss breaks Italy hearts in draw with France

Paolo Garbisi took the blame for a missed penalty in injury-time during a heartbreaking stalemate with France in the Six Nations.

The two teams drew 13-13 in Lille as the Azzurri were denied a first ever win over their opponents since joining the tournament in 2000.

But things could have been very different as Garbisi failed to convert a kick from 38 metres in the dying seconds of the game.

“I take full responsibility for that," the fly-half told ITV Sport. "I’m sorry for the team because I thought they were amazing.

“Also for all the Italian supporters, that’s my bad, and I will work on it.”

An action-packed game had seen Ange Capuozzo run home a late try for the visitors, as they responded to Charles Ollivon's earlier score.

Jonathan Danty was also sent off for the French, with his head-on-head tackle on Juan Ignacio Brex upgraded to a red card following a half-time review.

With the man advantage, Italy were then handed a chance at just their second ever away win in the Six Nations when earning a penalty in injury time.

But when the ball toppled off the tee, Garbisi was left scrambling to put it back in place before the shot clock ran out.

He duly struck the post with his kick, shattering the dreams of ending a 27-year wait for a victory away to France.

"I was thinking about trusting my process really," he continued. "It’s part of my job to put the kick over.

“The performance was good overall. If you get to 13-13 in the last minute with France, I think you’ve done pretty well.

“The extra man helped us in the second half. First half we spent too much time in our half, because with the possession we were not that great.

“Second half with one more man we could attack more and find space, but it all comes down to the last kick really.”

The result means Italy remain winless and bottom of the table, whereas France sit in fourth, two points behind third-placed England.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.