France earn 18-40 consolation victory over Italy

Italy 18-40 France, Stadio Olimpico
Scorecard

A dominant second half performance from France saw them secure a 18-40 bonus point victory in their Six Nations clash against Italy at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Skipper Sergio Parisse gave Italy the perfect start, scoring the quickest try of the 2017 edition which came in the second minute but fly-half Carlo Canna missed out on the conversion. Camille Lopez got France off the mark with a penalty in the eighth minute but Canna responded back with his own three pointer eight minutes later.

France upped the ante when Gael Fickou scored their first try in the 20th minute and it was sandwiched between a penalty and a conversion from Lopez following which both the fly-halves exchanged penalty. France went into half-time with a lead of 11-16.

Guy Noves' men showed a lot of intent in the second half as a Lopez penalty was followed by a try each from Virimi Vakatawa, Louis Picamoles and Brice Dulin. Lopez continued his good run and added the extras on all three occasions.

A last minute touchdown from Italy wing Angelo Esposito went in vain as Conor O'Shea's men succumbed to a 22 point defeat and continue to languish at the bottom of the table.

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