Italy stunned France 22-21 in a major upset yesterday after a late penalty goal from Mirco Bergamasco for its first victory in the Six Nations this season.

Bergamasco contributed 17 points and fullback Andrea Masi scored Italy's only try at Stadio Flamino as the hosts beat the French in the Six Nations for the first time. It was only Italy's second win against France, the first coming in 1997.

"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," Italy coach Nick Mallett said. "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."

Bergamasco had appeared to be suffering from nerves after earlier missing two more straightforward kicks, and Parisse later praised his composure.

"Mirco asked to kick again and he got the important penalty," Parisse said, before referring to Mallett. "He's the only coach who believed in us, I want to dedicate this victory to him."

Vincent Clerc and Morgan Parra scored tries for France, while Parra also kicked 11 points.

Trailing 8-6 at halftime after conceding a try to Clerc, Italy responded through a try for Masi in the 60th minute and Bergmasco kicked three more penalty goals for the Italians to send the crowd into raptures.

Italy will now travel to meet Scotland in the final round aiming to emulate its 2007 win at Edinburgh.