Hello and welcome to ESPN's coverage of the Six Nations clash between Italy and France in the Stadio Olimpico on a gloomy, rainy day in Rome.

The big talking point coming into this game was the huge number of changes made by France. Coach Philippe Saint-Andre has swung the axe after their defeat to Wales, with eight players replaced overall. Under-fire fly-half Camille Lopez has kept his place, though.

For Italy, as ever, Sergio Parisse is the main man. Today marks a record 112th cap for the legendary captain, and he should be relishing the opportunity of facing up to Loann Goujon, who is playing his first test match at number 8.

Italy have won the last two games they have played against France at home, but have only won consecutive Six Nations games once before, in 2007. Can they do the same again today?

The early news coming out of the Stadio Olimpico is that Italy's fly-half Tommy Allan - who was selected instead of Kelly Haimona - has picked up a muscle strain in the warm-up. It looks like he'll still be starting, but his leg may well be heavily bandaged.

The anthems have been blasted out with all the passion and verve that you would expect, and a minute's silence in honour of the three French athletes who died in a helicopter crash this week was immaculately observed. An emotionally-charged start, then, and it will be Italy who get us going as the rain squirms its way down onto the players.

Italy look very happy to make the most of the weather by sending the ball soaring into the sky. Allan's high cross-kick is claimed by debutant Nakaitaci, though, and he storms about 60 yards downfield before Sergio Parisse - who else - clears up the danger. A nice burst by Nakaitaci and an encouraging start for him.

Parisse wins the lineout but the French drive the resulting maul away from their own 22. Good defending from the visitors but they have lost their discipline again and given away a penalty in very kickable range for Tommy Allan, mid-way into the France half...

Allan isn't in good shape here. He's now limped away from playing a simple pass out to his centres. At this stage, it would be surprising to see him stay on the pitch for much longer.

It has been a messy start to the game, and Allan is plugging away still. It looks like place-kicking may be his biggest problem, but he isn't moving with any freedom at all out there.

Here's the change we all expected. Tommy Allan clearly wasn't in any state to play 70 minutes of Test rugby, and he has finally limped off to be replaced by Luciano Orquera.

France breath a sigh of relief after those two missed penalties and enjoy their first spell of possession, but it comes to nothing as Italy regather and McLean sends it right back to the away side's 22.

A scrappy start here. It's gloomy, rainy and there have been a number of mistakes which are stopping the players get into any sort of rhythm at the minute. Italy are the better side, it must be said.

Italy seem to have the upper hand in the scrums here, as France number 8 Loann Goujon tries to spin free but is wrapped up. The French get another scrum but it's not put in straight and Italy win the penalty, which is too far out to kick (probably a good thing considering the quality of kicking so far).

Sebastian Tillous-Borde's clearance box kick is charged down by France and suddenly Italy have an opportunity to spread it wide and attack the space. But no. It's worked back inside, inexplicably, and Italy's Luca Morisi drops it. Scrum down again.

Finally! Points on the board as Lopez sends it straight through the posts. You can't say France have deserved it, but then Italy have hardly been playing the most cohesive game either.

Italy come in from the side of a ruck and give away another penalty. They'll need to cut this out soon if they want to build any momentum in front of this home crowd.

That kick seems to have inspired the French backs, as first Lopez then Spedding dance through the Italy back-line. They can't get within reach of the try-line, but the last two minutes have given us the most exciting attacking play of the game so far. Both moves were undermined by mistakes but we're getting there...

Luca Morisi has come off here with what looks like a head injury. It's hard to tell exactly what's happened to him, but he certainly looked dazed, confused and a little bit shattered.

...and then they concede another penalty. Just on the edge of the Italy 22, this is an easy kick. But Lopez - who has scored both of his - is limping. Spedding will take.. and makes no mistake. A nine point lead will please France, but a knock to Lopez will not. That brings an end to a cagey and error-strewn first half in which both sides failed to find any sort of creative spark.

Forget your dreams of an exciting, accurate second half... Parisse has just made another mistake and it's a penalty to France... Plisson sort of mishits it but it still worms its way through the posts and France extend their lead. They're building a healthy points difference here, despite not playing well at all.

Which ends in the first try of the game! A moment of class from Spedding as he surges through the Italian defence. His run is brought to an end but Huget sets up Maestri from the breakdown to run in a simply try from 10 metres out.

Out of nowhere, France are now 19 points up. It doesn't feel like they have played well, though. They have just made less silly errors than their opponents.

Credit to Italy, they have managed to keep hold of the ball for a fair amount of time since the France try. They haven't yet been able to threaten the France back-line but it's certainly a step in the right direction for Parisse and his team-mates.

France with another penalty near the half-way line now. They could have gone for the lineout considering the relative security they are in, but Plisson is going to try his luck again...

This game seems to be as good as over now, but the number of handling errors will still be hugely frustrating for the coaches of both sides. This time it's Nakaitaci, who bundles it forwards after a promising move from the French backs.

But France continue in a similar vein to how they have played all game and waste the lineout before a series of knock-ons and fumbles end with an Italian scrum on their own 5-metre line. They win a penalty and clear comfortably.

The move ends with Plisson spooning a loopy cross kick towards Huget but Italy claim it and can clear their lines temporarily. You can't help but get the feeling that it will be heading back towards the Italian posts very soon, though.

But it doesn't last long as France reclaim it just as it looks like the scoreboard was in danger. The crowd in Rome remain firmly in their seats.

Italy do well to defend the scrum and stop the French legs pumping. It slows down once more.

It's coming to an end, so it's fitting that another knock-on slows any sort of rhythm down and we get another scrum. Le Marseillaise rings out around the Stadio Olimpico as the French fans start to cast the memories of their last two trips to Rome into the past.

Another penalty for France, and it looks like their forwards have got their eyes on the five points here. Last play of the game.

And the conversion is good from Plisson, who has impressed since coming on. That brings a poor, uninspiring end to a game in which France dominated but never really impressed.