Nick Mallett hailed an outstanding team effort after Italy broke their Six Nations duck with victory over France.
Azzurri coach heaps praise on players after Rome triumph
Italy coach Nick Mallett hailed an outstanding team effort after his players broke their RBS Six Nations duck with a shock victory over holders France.
The Azzurri called upon all of their renowned courage and fighting qualities to battle back from 18-6 down and claim a dramatic 22-21 triumph.
The win is Italy's first in this year's competition and the only time they have beaten Les Bleus in 12 Six Nations meetings.
Wing Mirco Bergamasco kicked 17 points and Andrea Masi crossed for Italy's solitary try and coach Mallett was understandably delighted at the final whistle.
He said: "We're working and improving all the time, I've stuck with the same group over the last three years.
"I've got a great captain in Sergio Parisse - he's been a lone figure over the last four years, but he's now playing with a team where he just has to do his part - today we had 15, 22 players all playing their parts.
Dream
"(Alessandro) Zanni was outstanding today, Masi, the full-back, had an excellent game - they were a really good rugby team today.
"We played today against a good French team, who have reached two World Cup finals and have always thrashed Italy really, so it's a huge achievement."
Captain Parisse echoed his coach's thoughts, adding: "It's a dream today, beating France, we've never beaten them before in the Six Nations.
"I'm really proud and happy for all these people."
He had particular praise for Bergamasco, who held his nerve after two penalty misses to land the winning points, as well as Mallett.
"He's the only coach who believed in us, I want to dedicate this victory to him," he said of the latter.
"(And) Mirco asked to kick again and he got the important penalty."
France coach Marc Lievremont, meanwhile, made no excuses for his team's poor showing.
Frustrated
Les Bleus went into the game looking to get back on track after their 19-7 defeat to England last time out.
"We are disappointed," Lievremont said. "Italy merited the win. I am saddened and frustrated. Italy looked the better side for the 80 minutes.
"I knew that we could lose one day to Italy but I didn't thik it was going to happen so soon.
"We needed to battle on the pitch and we didn't do that. I thought my players were focused on this game but they weren't.
"I would have preferred an ugly win to a sad loss. We now have to continue to work."
France end the tournament against Wales at the Stade de France.
