France ease to victory over Italy in Rome

France have powered to a 40-18 bonus-point victory over Italy in the penultimate round of the Six Nations.

Three second-half tries have helped France power to a 40-18 bonus-point victory over Italy in the penultimate round of the Six Nations.

France led 16-11 at the break thanks to a try from Gael Fickou while further tries in the second period from Virimi Vakatawa, Louis Picamoles and Brice Dulin sealed the facile win.

Italy got off to the perfect start at the Stadio Olimpico with Sergio Parisse crossing for the game's first try after only three minutes following a defence-splitting pass by Carlo Canna.

Canna missed the easy conversion, however, and French fly-half Camille Lopez reduced the deficit with a penalty on nine minutes.

Subsequent Italian pressure was rewarded with a Canna penalty while Lopez punished Italy for going offside before Fickou finished off a flowing French move to score his side's first try on 21 minutes. Lopez slotted the extras to move the visitors in front.

Both sides exchanged further penalties to leave France leading at the break although Guy Noves' side certainly finished the half the stronger.

Another Lopez penalty for a high tackle on Rabah Slimani moved France further ahead before Vakatawa broke a tackle to score France's second try under the posts.

Italy looked to have scored another try on 58 minutes when Giorgio Bronzini burrowed over but France full-back Dulin managed to hold the ball up.

Bronzini's effort was the last time Italy looked like remaining in the encounter and tries in the final quarter from Louis Picamoles and Dulin secured the bonus point win for France.

Angelo Esposito scored a late consolation try for Italy in the last action of the game.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world