France vs Italy - Six Nations LIVE!
The pre-tournament favourites closed out round one of this year’s Championship with a bonus-point win on home soil in Paris.
Les Bleus - without head coach Fabien Galthie after a positive Covid-19 test - recovered from a slow start in rainy conditions to triumph 31-10 at the Stade de France.
Toulon wing Gabin Villiere notched a stylish hat-trick for France, who also got scores from opposite wing Damian Penaud and flanker Antony Jelonch on Sunday.
An inexperienced Italy side battled hard throughout, silencing the home crowd initially with a debut try from Tommaso Menoncello.
France top the early Six Nations table as attentions turn to a blockbuster round-two showdown with Ireland, who swatted aside injury-plagued defending champions Wales yesterday.
Despite their best efforts, Italy’s run of Six Nations defeats now stands at 33 in a row. They remain without a win in the competition since 2015 and host wounded England in Rome next weekend.
