Italy 24-73 France: Les Bleus gets Six Nations titles ambitions back on track after record victory

Mickael Guillard, Peato Mauvaka, Antoine Dupont (two), Paul Boudehent, Leo Barre (two), Gregory Aldritt, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barassi all score tries as France post record Six Nations win in their history; France’s previous largest total vs Italy was 60

France racked up a record points total against Italy as they smashed the Azzurri 73-24 to get their Six Nations title ambitions back on track.

A crazy first half saw seven tries scored between the sides, as Italy twice went in front through Tommaso Menoncello’s opening score and the boot of Tommaso Allan, but fell 35-17 behind by the break.

Les Bleus scored through lock Mickael Guillard, hooker Peato Mauvaka, scrum-half and captain Antoine Dupont, back-row Paul Boudehent and full-back Leo Barre in the opening half.

The second period brought six further France tries through No 8 Gregory Aldritt, wings Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attissogbe, centre Pierre-Louis Barassi, Dupont and Barre, while out-half Thomas Ramos landed eight conversions off the tee.

All Italy could muster in the second 40 was a converted Paolo Garbisi try.

Dupont: We can be proud – Dublin will be tough

France captain Antoine Dupont told ITV Sport post-match…

“It was a really tough game, especially the start. We were able to keep our intensity during the 80 minutes, and it’s not an easy thing to do against this team of Italians, so we can be proud.

“There was a lot of good things during the game against England, but when we had to score tries, we made a lot of mistakes. Today was much better, we scored on each occasion.

“We know it will be a huge game against Ireland in Dublin, we have two weeks to prepare for that. It will probably be the main points of the tournament, the main game for us.

“We’ll see, it will be tough for sure.”

What’s next?

Following the second rest week, France are in action on Saturday March 8 for the fourth round of the championship, travelling to face Ireland in a mammoth match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (2.15pm kick-off).

Italy next travel to face England at Allianz Stadium Twickenham on Sunday March 9 (3pm kick-off).

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