Match Centre: Six Nations: Italy 10-50 France

Italy 10-50 France, Stadio Olimpico
Scorecard

France came up with a seven-try riot as they dominated Italy with a 50-10 margin in the opening round of the Six Nations tournament at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Italy had a consolation try from Luca Sperandio but that could not prevent them from losing their 28th consecutive defeat in the Six Nations.

Italy had a late change with prop Cherif Traore replaced by debutant Daniele Rimpelli. Juan Ignacio Brex breached France's defence early but the Les Bleus were the first to get the points after Gabin Villiere helped Dylan Cretin over the line. Matthieu Jalibert kicked the conversion and followed with a penalty goal to take them to a 0-10 lead.

Paolo Garbisi led the response from Italy with a swift penalty kick at the end of the first quarter to reduce their arrears to seven points.

However, France dominated the remainder of the first half as they scored back to back tries in a span of four minutes around the half-hour mark.

Antonie Dupont found the gap in Italy's defence following a rolling maul before Gael Fickou capitalised on his pass to go over the line in the 26th minute. Three minutes later a combination of Gabin Villiere and Dupont played a pivotal role in sending Arthur Vincent over the line.

Jalibert kicked both the extras as France finished the opening half with a 24-3 lead.

There was no respite whatsoever for the home side as fullback Brice Dublin ensured a bonus point for France after diving in the corner capitalising on a kick from Villiere in the 48th minute and few minutes later it was Teddy Thomas, who allowed Dupont to complete France's fifth try in the game.

As the third quarter was about to end, Dupont returned the favour to Thomas as he crossed the whitewash. With Jalibert being spot on with all the three conversions, France looked in control with a 45-3 lead.

Sperandio with his try in the 63rd minute provided some relief to Italy but they were no match for France as they completed a 40-point win following Thomas' second that came in the 73rd minute.

Italy will lock horns with England at Twickenham Stadium in the second round on 13th February while France will face Ireland next on 14th February.

Team line-up:

Italy: Trulla; Sperandio, Zanon, Brex, Ioane; Garbisi, Varney; Rimpelli, Bigi, Riccioni, Lazzaroni, Sisi, Negri, Meyer, Lamaro.

Reserves: Lucchesi, Fischetti, Zilocchi, Cannone, Ruzza, Mbanda, Palazzani, Canna.

France: Dulin; Thomas, Vincent, Fickou, Villiere; Jalibert, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Le Roux, Willemse, Cretin, Alldritt, Ollivon

Reserves: Bourgarit, Gros, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Jelonch, Serin, Carbonel, Penaud.