![Bergamasco backs Italy to cause 'doubting' France problems in Six Nations](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/3f/ce/73/Bergamasco-backs-Italy-to-cause--do-090600.jpg)
-
Multiple people shot along highway in US state of Kentucky
-
'Super proud' Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
In Papua New Guinea, Pope holds mass 'at the edge of the world'
-
Hewett stays positive for wheelchair tennis despite agonising defeat
-
Three things on US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka
-
Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
USA men land Paralympic basketball three-peat, Jiang takes 7th swim gold
-
USA slump to first home defeat against Canada in 67 years
-
Argentina hand Australia record 67-27 loss in Rugby Championship
-
England impress on Carsley bow, Germany, Dutch hit five
-
AFP photographer wins top prize for Gaza coverage
-
No Love for Packers for three weeks after ligament sprain: reports
-
Pedro Almodovar: chronicler of modern Spain crowned in Venice
-
Almodovar wins top Venice prize for end-of-life film
-
Trump sounds dark tone at rally, Harris 'ready' for debate
-
Wirtz and Musiala dazzle to kick-start new Germany era
-
Chinese teenager takes 7th gold of Paris Paralympics
-
England interim boss Carsley 'respects' divided opinions over anthem
-
Neuville moves to the front in the Acropolis Rally
-
Garfield, Pugh charm Toronto in new romance 'We Live in Time'
-
21 boys confirmed dead in Kenya school inferno
-
Over 100,000 protest in France against new prime minister
-
Golden 30 minutes takes China to swimming Paralympics swimming domination
-
Green leads Australia to T20 series sweep of Scotland
-
Nigeria, Cameroon win afer chaotic AFCON build-ups
-
Nicole Kidman: A-lister, cinematic chameleon, wins in Venice
-
'I had to prove myself', says Kolisi after win against All Blacks
-
Almodovar wins top prize at Venice film festival
-
Grealish savours England redemption after 'worst summer'
-
Carsley makes flying start as England interim boss in win over Ireland
-
Springboks close on Rugby Championship with storming win over All Blacks
-
Sri Lanka's De Silva and Kamindu Mendis defy England in third Test
-
Farrell's Racing lose on opening day of Top 14
-
Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer visits Dublin
-
Dunbar takes second Vuelta stage as Roglic closes in on victory
-
Fritz eyes US Open glory to end 21 years of American hurt
-
Thousands protest in France against new prime minister
-
Death toll from Kenya school blaze rises to 21
-
Brazil's right rallies for 'freedom' after X suspended
-
Trump to hold rally in swing state, Harris preps for debate
-
Stone at the double as Sri Lanka collapse against England in third Test
-
French tennis player takes legal action over online abuse
-
Italy backs Kyiv's 'legitimate defence' as Zelensky presses allies
-
The Body Shop rescued from administration after deal
-
Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint, extends MotoGP lead
-
Smoke and screams: The horror of Kenya's school dorm inferno
-
MotoGP leader Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint
-
Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer begins Dublin visit
-
Ma Lin turns brutal encounter with bear into glorious Paralympic career
-
Flintoff appointed England Lions head coach
![Bergamasco backs Italy to cause 'doubting' France problems in Six Nations](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/3f/ce/73/Bergamasco-backs-Italy-to-cause--do-090600.jpg)
Bergamasco backs Italy to cause 'doubting' France problems in Six Nations
Ex-Italy centre Mirco Bergamasco said his former side can cause problems for France's creaking defence in the Six Nations on Sunday and hope for just a second win in the competition since 2015.
Les Bleus host the Azzurri in Lille having conceded six tries and 54 points in their opening two games.
Italy have so far been crushed by Ireland and suffered a narrow three-point loss to England. They are the only team with a worse defensive record than France.
"If Italy start to keep possession, it could become difficult for France because there's more doubts in defence than in attack, the key to the game will be to keep the ball longer than the French," Bergamasco told AFP.
"If you do that, you can hope to make them doubt themselves at the end of the game," the 40-year-old, who also played on the wing and at full-back, added.
Former Argentina fly-half Gonzalo Quesada signed a contract as Italy head coach until the 2027 Rugby World Cup having taken over from New Zealander Kieran Crowley after last year's disappointing campaign in the competition.
"Compared to past teams, they're not trying to play wherever on the field and whenever, they're controlling areas of the field where they play," Bergamasco said.
"Beforehand, they tried to play too much. It's what is the difference right now and what will be the difference until the next World Cup," he added.
Bergamasco played with Quesada at Stade Francais for a season before being coached by the Argentine at Parisian rivals Racing 92 for two campaigns.
The 49-year-old Quesada, unlike Crowley, has made a conscious effort to learn Italian since being appointed at the end of last year.
"It's what I expected because I taught him Italian back then," Bergamasco jokingly said.
"He knows it's important, culturally, when you arrive in a country and you speak a language, obviously you catch the players' attention.
"It shows you're not just there to coach and take the money, you're there because you have a contract and you want the team to progress," Bergamasco added.
- 'Have a go' -
Bergamasco, who now coaches French fourth-tier club Limoges, retired from Test rugby in 2012. He played a host of his 89 Tests alongside brother and former back-rower Mauro Bergamasco.
One of Mirco's highlights was 2011's victory over Les Bleus.
"It was a relief to go to back to my club in France with a smile as opposed to being sad," he said.
"It allowed us to say to other sides 'Be careful, you can't take us lightly you have to put your best team out, because we can win'," he added.
This weekend, Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello are likely to start in Bergamasco's former slot in midfield.
Brex and Menoncello will face France's experienced centre pairing of Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty.
"They perform well and they seem to get along on and off the field. It makes a difference," Bergamasco said.
"Two good players, guys who will have a go, maybe not as strong technically as Danty and Fickou but two guys who won't give an inch for 80 minutes.
"It will be a good battle, a good test for Fickou and Danty to see if they really want to make it to the next World Cup," Bergamasco added.
J.Bergmann--BTB