France put any doubts about their finishing ability to rest with a stunning 73-20 victory over Italy in the Six Nations. The dominant performance, which featured 11 tries, showcased their power game and attacking prowess.
Head coach Fabien Galthié made bold selection changes, notably dropping key players like wing Damian Penaud and fly-half Matthieu Jalibert. The strategy paid off as France showed their strength in every aspect of the game. They continuously powered through the gainline, and with a tactical 7-1 bench split, they overwhelmed Italy in the second half.
The 73-point haul is the second-highest in Six Nations history, and with this win, France climbed to second in the standings, just behind Ireland. A win over Ireland in Dublin could see them claim the championship.
Italy briefly held the lead after Tommaso Menoncello’s early try, but France quickly regained control. Mickaël Guillard’s powerful try got them on the scoreboard, and Peato Mauvaka and Antoine Dupont added tries soon after. Dupont was named player of the match, but it was the entire backline, including full-back Ramos, that played a pivotal role.
Despite a few defensive gaps, especially against Italy’s set-piece strike plays, France’s attacking strength was undeniable. Yoram Moefana and Pierre-Louis Barassi continued to shine in midfield, while Dupont’s leadership created multiple scoring opportunities.
The second half saw even more fireworks from France. Grégory Alldritt crashed over for a try, and Bielle-Biarrey added another. By the hour mark, France had extended their lead with Dupont’s second try and Bielle-Biarrey’s sixth consecutive try in as many matches.
Italy struggled to maintain their form, with the home crowd showing signs of surrender. In the final minutes, Théo Attissogbé and Barassi rounded out the scoring, ensuring the victory for France.
France now looks ahead to their clash with Ireland, still very much in the hunt for the Six Nations title.
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