France thrashed Italy 73-24 in the Six Nations to send a timely and emphatic title warning to Ireland. Les Bleus were scintillating in attack as they ran in a total of 11 tries during Sunday’s ruthless demolition at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, with a brace apiece for man-of-the-match Antoine Dupont and Leo Barre plus scores from Mickael Guillard, Peato Mauvaka, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Theo Attissogbe and Pierre-Louis Barassi.
Only England, who had 80 against Italy back in 2001, have ever scored more points in a Six Nations match as France registered their highest total in tournament history to bounce back in incredible fashion following their shock last-gasp defeat by England a fortnight ago. Fabien Galthie’s side now head to Dublin for a potential title decider in round four full of confidence, moving to within three points of the back-to-back defending champions at the top of the table with a now vastly superior points difference.
It was an unwanted throwback to darker times for Italy, who cannot afford to dwell on the disappointment as they go to England next before hosting Ireland on Super Saturday.
Italy vs France highlights
- TRY! France finish with 11 tries thanks to Barassi
- TRY! Attissogbe delivers fine finish for 10th try
- TRY! Barre brace after clever Bielle-Biarrey kick
- TRY! Garbisi brothers combine for Italy response
- TRY! Dupont's second takes France past 50 points
- TRY! Bielle-Biarrey registers seventh French score
- TRY! Alldritt piles more misery on Italy after half-time
- TRY! Barre notches fifth French try before the break
- TRY! Boudehent seals early French bonus point
- TRY! Brex crosses for the Azzurri
- TRY! Dupont adds another first-half score
- TRY! Hooker Mauvaka extends French lead
- TRY! Guillard hits back quickly for France
- TRY! Menoncello scores after Barre try ruled out
Italy 24-73 France
16:55Full-time
11 tries in total in a complete demolition job from ruthless France, who bounce back from that shock last-gasp England defeat in scintillating style and send a clear message to historic three-peat and Grand Slam-chasing Ireland ahead of their trip to Dublin for the match of the championship in a fortnight’s time.
It is the second-most points ever scored by a team in one Six Nations game, after England put 80 on Italy at Twickenham in 2001.
It is the most they have ever scored in this competition and takes their points difference into the 90s - how important could that be?
Embarrassing from Italy and, as said on TV commentary, a throwback to the bad days that they thought were in the past after so much progress.
They go to Twickenham next and have Ireland in Rome on Super Saturday.
TRY! Italy 24-73 France | Pierre-Louis Barassi 79'
16:4979 mins: To say that France have been relentless, clinical and ruthless here would be an enormous understatement.
They want more and more and more, taking it to 11 tries as they work the ball easily down the line and centre Barassi scores in the left corner.
Lucu’s missed conversion keeps it at just the 73 points for the day.
TRY! Italy 24-68 France | Theo Attissogbe 76'
16:45 , George Flood76 mins: France do have that 10th try late on!
Attissogbe gets in on the act, somehow evading two defenders out right with some lovely footwork to finish.
Lucu takes on kicking duties with Ramos now off.
He makes the conversion to take France within a couple of points of 70.
Italy 24-61 France
16:43 , George Flood74 mins: Dupont has just been absolutely smoked in the tackle by Italian replacement prop Zilocchi.
Not what Fabien Galthie will want to see with such a huge lead and that massive trip to Ireland to come in round four.
Italy 24-61 France
16:42 , George Flood71 mins: France want that 10th try but it’s all a bit untidy as the ball is fired wide right, with Italy countering through Gesi until they are off their feet at the breakdown.
Italy 24-61 France
16:37 , George Flood68 mins: Ramos departs with 16 points from eight conversions and only one miss.
France’s only back cover on the bench, Maxime Lucu, enters the fray.
That means a full 80 minutes for Dupont and another late move to fly-half.
TRY! Italy 24-61 France | Leo Barre 65'
16:32 , George Flood65 mins: Make that nine French tries after some deft skills with a lovely little kick from Bielle-Biarrey, who then feeds Barre for his second score of the day.
An eighth conversion from the boot of Ramos sees France clear the 60-point mark.
TRY! Italy 24-54 France | Paolo Garbisi 60'
16:28 , George Flood60 mins: The Garbisi brothers combine nicely following the scrum and Italy have their third try of the afternoon.
Paolo then converts his own score.
Can Italy at least get themselves a bonus point here?
Italy 17-54 France
16:2659 mins: A nice little break there from Italy, who have sent on Vintcent and Paolo’s brother Alessandro Garbisi at scrum-half.
Trulla also on and quickly showing his wheels.
Italy 17-54 France
16:22 , George Flood56 mins: Attissogbe is stopped before France then look to push over try number nine from close range.
But finally some rare respite for Italy as they are pinged for obstruction.
TRY! Italy 17-54 France | Antoine Dupont 53'
16:1953 mins: Really embarrassing this from Italy, I thought they had left these days behind.
Moefana sets up Dupont for his second try and it’s all so ridiculously easy.
France cross the 50-point mark with their eighth try of the afternoon.
Ramos slots over the extras.
TRY! Italy 17-47 France | Louis Bielle-Biarrey 49'
16:15 , George Flood49 mins: It’s seven!
Italy being taken apart time and time again as Attissogbe tees up fellow wing Bielle-Biarrey, who has been supreme today.
A first miss from the tee from Ramos.
Italy 17-42 France
16:1447 mins: More bad news for Italy as France now send for the bulk of the forward cavalry.
Baille, Marchand, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Jelonch and Jegou all on.
The Azzurri have lost Negri to injury, with Zuliani on in the back row.
Zilocchi and Nicotera also into the front row.
TRY! Italy 17-42 France | Gregory Alldritt 44'
16:08 , George Flood44 mins: Try number six for Les Bleus!
They go to the back of the lineout after Italy ship another penalty and dominant number eight Alldritt piles over from close range.
A sixth conversion sails over from the unerringly accurate Ramos.
Italy 17-35 France
16:04 , George FloodBack underway at the Stadio Olimpico, with no changes from either side.
52 points in a madcap first half - how many will we get after the break?
Can Italy make a game of this or will we see more heavy French punishment?
They have seven forwards to bring off the bench remember, so the relentless physicality won’t let up for a single second.
Italy 17-35 France
15:58Per Opta Sports, that was the second highest-scoring first half in Six Nations history.
Not since 2001, when England led Italy 33-23 at the break at Twickenham have more points been scored in the opening 40 minutes.
England went on to score 80 that day...
52 - 52 points have been scored in the first half of #ITAvFRA, only one other match in the Men's Six Nations has seen more points scored in the opening 40 minutes - England v Italy in 2001 (33-23 at HT, 80-23 at FT). Floodgates. pic.twitter.com/YDK140832T
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) February 23, 2025
Italy 17-35 France
15:49 , George FloodHalf-time
A chance for everyone to catch their breath.
A quite ridiculous and remarkable half of rugby that saw 52 points scored and seven total tries, five of them from France.
Are you not entertained?!
TRY! Italy 17-35 France | Leo Barre 39'
15:47 , George Flood39 mins: A fifth try for the French with half-time looming.
They are piling on the pressure deep in the Italian 22 yet again, with Dupont orchestrating proceedings as usual.
He gives a little step and feeds Barre, who bursts through the contact to score.
Not one for the defensive aficionados, this.
Italy 17-28 France
15:4435 mins: Italy’s own ambition is not being dimmed here to their credit, despite them being routinely carved apart by this ruthless French attack.
It’s an utterly frantic and absorbing, chaotic contest, with breaks all over the place and possession quickly changing hands.
End to end all the time. Just remarkable.
TRY! Italy 17-28 France | Paul Boudehent 29'
15:3729 mins: Honestly now, this is getting ridiculous.
Flanker Boudehent gets in on the act and France have a bonus point in the bag before the half-hour mark.
Six tries in total so far and 45 combined points on the board.
Crazy stuff.
TRY! Italy 17-21 France | Juan Ignacio Brex 27'
15:35 , George Flood27 mins: Seriously lads, how about some defence?
Menoncello has already gone over, now centre partner Brex charges through.
Allan converts. I can barely keep up.
TRY! Italy 10-21 France | Antoine Dupont 24'
15:31 , George Flood24 mins: It is absolutely raining French tries in Rome.
Sublime but so simple once more as the influential Bielle-Biarrey sets away superstar captain Dupont to touch down a third score already for Les Bleus.
Another conversion is made by Ramos and the French lead is quickly out to 11 points.
Really ominous stuff for Italy.
TRY! Italy 10-14 France | Peato Mauvaka 21'
15:30 , George Flood21 mins: A third try of the afternoon already!
Italy’s defence is powerless to resist a well-organised rolling maul and I think it’s hooker Mauvaka who gets the ball down.
A tricky conversion is made by Ramos and the French are ahead by four after a breathless first quarter of this contest in Rome.
Italy 10-7 France
15:27 , George Flood19 mins: Italy back under massive pressure here and now star centre Menoncello is down and receiving treatment.
We will have a delay in play.
PENALTY! Italy 10-7 France | Tommaso Allan 16'
15:2516 mins: French flanker Boudehent is whistled for an off-the-ball hit and Italy have a penalty which Allan slots over to regain the lead.
But an injury blow for the Azzurri as loosehead Fischetti limps off early on his 50th cap.
On comes Spagnolo.
TRY! Italy 7-7 France | Mickael Guillard 13'
15:2013 mins: The French weren’t behind for long!
They immediately find their way back to the Italian 22 and lock Guillard goes over from close range.
The try stands after a check on a potential knock on from Dupont, who had dropped the ball at the base of the ruck but it went backwards.
Ramos converts and we’re level in Rome.
TRY! Italy 7-0 France | Tommaso Menoncello 11'
15:16 , George Flood11 mins: Italy make the most of that reprieve!
Superb stuff between one of the best centre partnerships in the world in Brex and Menoncello, who bursts through to touch down.
Allan adds the extras and Italy lead early on in Rome.
Italy 0-0 France
15:15 , George Flood10 mins: NO TRY!
That was clearly forward from Ramos to Attissogbe and it’s ruled out.
A reprieve for Italy.
Italy 0-0 France
15:15 , George Flood10 mins: Scintillating attacking rugby from France as Ramos fires out to Attissogbe, who puts boot to ball down the right flank.
He ends up teeing up full-back Barre, who saunters through in style for the first try of the day to compound Italy’s misery at missing that early penalty.
But hang on, the officials want to check a possible forward pass in the build-up there...
Italy 0-0 France
15:128 mins: Italy escape and have a good little spell of possession, leading to a penalty eventually after Alldritt is pinged for being offside.
Captain Lamaro points to the posts looking for an early three points, but Allan’s effort is hooked wide to the right.
0-0 it remains.
Italy 0-0 France
15:08 , George Flood4 mins: Italy’s defence scramble well again on the far side after the break from Moefana.
Italy with the put-in at a key scrum five metres out from their own try line.
A couple of tedious resets follow.
Italy 0-0 France
15:06 , George Flood3 mins: France’s early momentum is briefly halted as Barre loses possession after a tackle from Niccolo Cannone.
Garbisi clears with the boot, but the white shirts are quickly pouring forward once more and again set up camp deep inside that Italian 22.
The Italy defence under siege in the opening minutes in Rome.
Italy 0-0 France
15:04 , George Flood1 mins: France wasting no time at all with lock Guillard winning an early turnover penalty that is quickly boomed into touch for a lineout deep in the Italy 22.
Atonio - who is starting after that injury scare in the warm-up - now among the carriers as Les Bleus power closer and closer to the try line.
Italy vs France
15:03 , George FloodSergio Parisse delivers the match ball to the middle with his children after receiving a guard of honour and a standing ovation.
Italy in blue this afternoon, with France in their change white strips.
Here we go...
Italy vs France
15:00Rousing stuff as always and brilliant noise for the Italian anthem.
Kick-off is imminent.
England’s Karl Dickson is the referee today, assisted by Craig Evans and Eoghan Cross.
Ben Whitehouse is on TMO duty.
Forwards Niccolo Cannone and Danilo Fischetti - who made their senior Italy debuts together back in 2020 - walk out ahead of their team-mates to soak up the applause of the crowd on the occasion of their 50th international caps.
The sun is shining and classical music blaring as the rest of the players emerge at the Stadio Olimpico.
National anthems coming up, and these are two of the best.
La Marseillaise to be followed by Il Canto degli Italiani.
Uini Atonio injury concern for France
14:48 , George FloodA bit of a worrying sight for France in the warm-up with imposing tighthead prop Uini Atonio down and receiving treatment on his leg.
We’ll see if he’s still fit to start or if Dorian Aldegheri will come in instead. Cyril Baille is the loosehead cover.
A start for Aldegheri would presumably see Georges-Henri Colombe move onto the bench.
Final preparations in Rome, where Italy will honour their legendary former captain Sergio Parisse this afternoon.
Their most-capped player of all time - who now coaches the forwards at Toulon in France - will walk out into the middle with his children before kick-off to deliver the match ball.
The iconic number eight is sure to get a brilliant reception.
As expected, scores of French fans have made the trip over to Rome this afternoon.
Thankfully for them, the weather is looking much brighter than it was a fortnight ago, when a bit of a slugfest against Wales was played out in the rain.
Here is that agonising moment 12 months ago that Paolo Garbisi’s rushed injury-time penalty fell off the tee and then crashed off the post to deny Italy a first-ever win over France on French soil...
Revenge mission for Paolo Garbisi. 💪
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 23, 2025
Last year, his injury-time penalty hit the post, denying Italy a first Six Nations victory in France.
The two sides meet again this afternoon in Rome.#SixNations pic.twitter.com/l8uPAf00si
France out to continue dominant record against Italy
14:11Italy have only ever beaten France three times in total - all at home - and had lost to them 14 times in a row before that dramatic draw last year, shipping 60 points in their previous one-sided meeting during the pool stage of the 2023 World Cup.
The last Six Nations contest in Rome was a much closer affair, with Matthieu Jalibert’s late try clinching a thrilling come-from-behind 29-24 win for France, who had again been close to an Azzurri upset.
Italy beat France twice at home in three years between 2011-13, having waited since the pre-Six Nations 1995-97 FIRA Trophy to topple them again.
Paolo Garbisi's penalty agony against France
13:56Italy’s starting fly-half Paolo Garbisi certainly won’t want any reminders of this fixture from 12 months ago, when his injury-time penalty attempt in Lille bobbled off the tee as he rushed to beat the shot clock and then smashed into the post in truly agonising fashion.
It meant that the Azzurri missed out on a first-ever victory in France and one of the biggest upsets in Six Nations history that would have seen them produce three wins in the 2024 edition.
Italy had hit back late on in the 13-13 draw as Garbisi converted an Ange Capuozzo score, with two penalties for each side after an early try from former France captain Charles Ollivon.
Les Bleus played the entire second half with 14 men after centre Jonathan Danty’s yellow card for a high tackle was upgraded to red during a bunker review.
Fabien Galthie reveals Damian Penaud talks after France axe
13:43It remains to be seen how much of a future Matthieu Jailibert has for France under Fabien Galthie, having now been dropped after a brief and unimpressive one-game return that followed his leaving the squad in the autumn having not been selected to face the All Blacks.
He and Damian Penaud look set to play for Bordeaux against Clermont in the Top 14 tonight after both being released back to the club.
Addressing the surprise decision to drop star wing Penaud entirely for the trip to Rome, Galthie said this week: “I spent two hours with Damian on Tuesday at the end of the afternoon, talking, listening to him, sharing.
“We absolutely have to be in harmony even if I understand that it is never easy for a competitor, for a champion, to accept, to take in the decision.”
Fabien Galthie explains controversial 7-1 France bench split
13:29 , George FloodFabien Galthie wasn’t giving too much away in terms of that much talked about and controversial 7-1 bench split so famously used by Rassie Erasmus and South Africa in the 2023 World Cup final against New Zealand in Paris, and on other occasions since then.
It rather suggests that total physicality across the full 80 minutes will be the primary French approach in Rome this afternoon, which should draw in defenders and tee up ample chances for their stylish finishers in talented young wing pair Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attissogbe.
It is also apparently designed to combat areas where France deem Italy to be the strongest.
“First of all, it’s tactical,” Galthie said. “I can’t go too much into the strategy and reveal it, but it’s to do with how we have analysed our opponent since Gonzalo Quesada took charge.
“We chose to test out a strategy to counter the key areas in which the Italians perform enormously well. That is to say their ground game.
“It’s true that it comes with a risk.”
Italy vs France prediction
13:14 , George FloodItaly will be confident after their latest deserved win over lowly Wales that may well have guaranteed the latter a second successive wooden spoon, but you sense they could face a storm today in the form of a wounded French side looking to reassert their title credentials fast.
Despite their glut of handling errors and botched scoring chances at Twickenham, they still should have beaten England soundly and will be eager to decisively and swiftly banish memories of that blip ahead of a massive battle against Ireland in round four that could revitalise their championship hopes.
The Azzurri may be able to keep things close and tense early on, but we expect France to be ultra-physical throughout with that bold 7-1 bench split and utilise their dazzling array of attacking threats to restore a ruthless edge and throw down the challenge to the champions heading to Dublin.
France to win, by 20 points.
Italy vs France lineups
13:11 , George FloodItaly XV: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Gesi; P Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (c), L Cannone
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Zuliani, Vintcent, A Garbisi, Trulla
France XV: Barre; Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos, Dupont (c); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt
Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu
France team news: No Jalibert or Penaud in squad
13:06The suddenly under-fire French boss Fabien Galthie has sprung a shock after the England defeat, with no Damian Penaud or Matthieu Jalibert even in the squad today.
Theo Attissogbe lines up opposite Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wing instead, while Thomas Ramos moves to fly-half as the fit-again Leo Barre takes his place at full-back.
Romain Ntamack is still suspended after his red card against Wales on opening night.
Thibaud Flament is back in a huge boost for France, partnering Mickael Guillard in a new-look second row with Emmanuel Meafou having been dealing with illness and Alexandre Roumat dropping to the bench.
Galthie has raised eyebrows with a Springbok-esque 7-1 bench split, with scrum-half Maxime Lucu the only back cover as he replaces Nolann Le Garrec.
Anthony Jelonch is among the replacements after injury, with promotions too for Dorian Aldegheri and Romain Taofifenua as Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou and Emilien Gailleton all drop out.
Italy team news: No Ioane as Gesi and Lucchesi come in
12:57 , George FloodItaly coach Gonzalo Quesada has made two changes to the team that withstood a late fightback to deservedly beat lowly Wales 22-15 in rainy Rome a fortnight ago.
Australian-born wing Monty Ioane is a big miss with a knee injury, with Simone Gesi taking his place.
The other switch is at hooker, where Toulon’s Gianmarco Lucchesi is preferred to Giacomo Nicotera of Stade Francais.
Two-cap lock Riccardo Favretto moves onto the bench with Harlequins’ Dino Lamb injured, while props Giosue Zilocchi and Mirco Spagnolo are also among the replacements, the latter after a ban.
Danilo Fischetti and Niccolo Cannone will both earn their 50th Italy caps this afternoon.
How to watch Italy vs France
12:49 , George FloodTV channel: Italy vs France is being shown live and free-to-air today in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 2:15pm GMT.
Live stream: The contest can also be viewed live online via the ITVX website and app, which is free with a subscription.
Italy vs France live
12:48 , George FloodGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Italy vs France in the Six Nations.
Les Bleus head to Rome today to close out a thrilling round three, knowing full well that they cannot afford any more slip-ups following their shock last-gasp defeat by England as they prepare to head to Dublin to face historic three-peat and Grand Slam-chasing Ireland next.
But they could have another stern test against an Italy side who deservedly beat Wales a fortnight ago to bring the early end of Warren Gatland’s woeful second reign and produced a battling comeback against Scotland before eventually losing at Murrayfield in round one.
Kick-off at the Stadio Olimpico is at 3pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, all the latest team news and lineups plus live updates.
