Campo suffers Paris heartache

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs star Michele Campagnaro suffered Paris heartache as his Italian side were narrowly defeated 23-21 by France in their opening RBS Six Nations Championship game of the season.

The summer signing featured for the whole 80 minutes at the Stade de France and played a key role in helping his side come within a whisker of causing a shock.

In a tight first half Virimi Vakatawa and Damien Chouly crossed for France, but a Carlo Canna drop-goal and Sergio Parisse's try kept Italy in touch.

Canna then finished off a burst by the inspirational Parisse to put the visitors in the ascendancy.

However, France retook the initiative with Hugo Bonneval's score and then needed a late penalty from Jules Plisson to hand a win to new coach Guy Noves.