Italy, who had lost each of their previous 11 matches against the French, trailed 18-6 midway in the second half after tries from Vincent Clerc and Morgan Parra.

Fullback Andrea Misi sparked the comeback by running in a try and Bergamasco, who had earlier missed two easier penalties, kicked three in the final 20 minutes to bring his personal tally to 17.

"For us it's a great day, an historic day for Italian rugby," said an elated captain Sergio Parisse.

Italy began brightly in the spring sunlight and were 3-0 up within two minutes as Bergamasco kicked a straightforward penalty in front of the posts.

France, who had won by more than 30 points on their last three visits to Rome, were then quickly into their stride.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Clerc found space on the left, kicked over the head of Gonzalo Canale and dived over for an impressive opening try.

Parra, who started at scrumhalf instead of Dimitri Yachvili, missed the conversion but kicked an easy penalty six minutes later to give the grand slam chhampions an 8-3 lead.
 

After three defeats in the competition, including two at home, the signs were ominous for Italy, but Nick Mallett's much changed team were full of fight in front of another full house.

Making up for his early mistake, Canale steamed past several weak challenges and Italy won a penalty which Bergamasco converted.

France, who lost to England at Twickenham two weeks ago, stepped up their game early in the second half. After another Parra penalty, the scrumhalf dived over between the posts on 51 minutes after a brilliant break from his halback partner Francois Trinh-Duc.

But the Azzurri, whose starting 15 included eight players plying their trade in France, refused to lie down.

Bergamasco missed two kickable penalties before the impressive Masi, given his first start at fullback in place of Luke McLean, ran over in the corner.

Bergamasco converted on the hour mark and, roared on by the crowd, kicked another penalty four minutes later to bring Italy within two points at 18-16.

Penalties were shared before Bergamasco kicked between the uprights again with four minutes to go to give Italy a one-point win which they celebrated wildly at the final whistle.

"They've always trashed Italy over the last four or five years so it's a huge huge achievement," coach Nick Mallett told the BBC.

"I'm so proud of my players and what they've done for the supporters who, week in week out, support their national team.

I think the wonderful thing about the Italian public is that they realize we're improving all the time.

"We looked like a really good rugby team today. Today we saw 22 players do their part."