Match report: France v Italy

France got off to a great start, opening the scoring in the third minute. A kick from Italy got picked up by Antoine Dupont who chipped it ahead into space, Louis Bielle-Biarrey put on the after burners and paced away to win the foot race to score the opening try.

In the 13^th minute after a 50:22 kick from Ramos Italy is in pinned back. France on the front foot and a spellbinding play by Antoine Dupont is finished off by Emmanuel Meafou who powers over the line from close range.

25 minutes in, a box kick from Dupont into touch results in an Italian lineout which gets overthrown. Émilien Gailleton picks it up and breaks through deep into the 22, he gets caught but manages to pass to Ramos who spins away from the tackle and jots it down in the left corner.

30 minutes in France are under pressure on their try line; a loose ball spills out and Ange Capuozzo dives on it to score.

A minute before half time Italy get s scrum penalty and they kick for goal making it an 11-point ball game going into the break.

The second half went scoreless for most of it. Italy wasn’t very threatening, but they did well to keep the French out and frustrate them. France came close to scoring in the 63^rd minute when they were playing phase after phase on the Italians 5m line, but the Italian defence stood tall and forced a knock on.

After a loose spell of play Louis Lynagh picks up a yellow card for a deliberate knock on and is out for the rest of the game. France setup an attacking lineout and look to maul, the ball comes out to Ramos who gives a beautiful cross kick to debutant Gael Drean who has acres of space and jots it down for a French bonus point.

France makes use of the extra man as they play it out wide in the 77^th minute, Gailleton beats a defender with a step and goes over the line.

In the dying moments of the game Italy weren’t disheartened as they gave a big last push but France did well to keep them out and secure a 33-8 victory.