Italy vs France LIVE rugby: Result and reaction from Six Nations as Les Bleus run rampant in Rome
Italy 24-73 France: The visitors delivered a statement performance to get their campaign back on track
France ran rampant in Rome to deliver a Six Nations statement with a 73-24 thrashing of Italy.
After a damaging defeat to England in round two, Fabien Galthie’s visitors were in a ruthless mood as they produced a scintillating display of attacking rugby to carve their hosts to pieces. Antoine Dupont starred throughout while Leo Barre and Theo Attissogbe, brought back into the side after Matthieu Jalibert and Damian Penaud were left out, also impressed, vindicating the France head coach after some bold calls.
Italy began brightly and matched Les Bleus in a frantic opening, with Tommaso Menoncello producing a sparkling score to open their account. But the Azzurri simply could not live with the power, pace and panache that France possess. Out of sight they surged to a mighty margin of victory to restore their confidence ahead of a huge meeting with Ireland in round four. With their points difference impressive after a similarly sizeable drubbing of Wales on the opening weekend, France will feel they are still firmly in the title chase.
Re-live all of the action from the Stadio Olimpico in our live blog below:
TRY! FRANCE 7-7 Italy (Mickael Guillard, 14 minutes)
Try for France! There’s a suspicion of a knock on from Antoine Dupont in the build-up, but the officials are happy, and Italy lose their shape as they protest. Through pile the French forwards with Mickael Guillard eventually notching his first Test try, and France are level as Ramos easily adds the conversion.
France 0-7 Italy 13 minutes
France are quick to respond with direct carries from a lineout, they move up the field playing hard and direct rugby. An early show of dominance from Italy being responded to well by France
TRY! France 0-7 ITALY (Tommaso Menoncello, 11 minutes)
Try Italy! Tommaso Menoncello slices through French defence from a clever scrum move, Italy go ahead with the first try of the day, Allan adds the extras.
France 0-0 10 minutes
Try disallowed because of a forward pass, score-line remains 0-0. Scrum to Italy on the French 40m line
France 0-0 Italy 10 minutes
France in possession in their half, a superb kick down the touchline and France regather, they run it under the posts from halfway, try scorer Leo Barre
France 0-0 Italy 8 minutes
Allan pushes the kick wide and France send the ball down field.
France 0-0 Italy 8 minutes
Italian lineout on halfway, good hard carry and Italy gain the penalty from their possession. Tommaso Allan chooses to take points from 45m out
France 0-0 Italy 6 minutes
Italy opt to run it bravely in their half and do well. They are looking to play an expansive game in the dry Rome weather. Knock on from France in the tackle gives Italy an advantage
France 0-0 Italy 5 minutes
Italy fight hard for the turnover after some early defensive efforts, good breakdown work see’s them awarded a scrum in their 22. A good chance to relieve pressure and shift momentum
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