France ease to victory over Italy in Rome

Mar 11, 2017 - 3:43 PM Three second-half tries have helped France power to a 40-18 bonus-point victory over Italy in the penultimate round of the Six Nations.

France led 16-11 at the break thanks to a try from Gael Fickou while further tries in the second period from Virimi Vakatawa, Louis Picamoles and Brice Dulin sealed the facile win.

Italy got off to the perfect start at the Stadio Olimpico with Sergio Parisse crossing for the game's first try after only three minutes following a defence-splitting pass by Carlo Canna.

Canna missed the easy conversion, however, and French fly-half Camille Lopez reduced the deficit with a penalty on nine minutes.

Subsequent Italian pressure was rewarded with a Canna penalty while Lopez punished Italy for going offside before Fickou finished off a flowing French move to score his side's first try on 21 minutes. Lopez slotted the extras to move the visitors in front.

Both sides exchanged further penalties to leave France leading at the break although Guy Noves' side certainly finished the half the stronger.

Another Lopez penalty for a high tackle on Rabah Slimani moved France further ahead before Vakatawa broke a tackle to score France's second try under the posts.

Italy looked to have scored another try on 58 minutes when Giorgio Bronzini burrowed over but France full-back Dulin managed to hold the ball up.

Bronzini's effort was the last time Italy looked like remaining in the encounter and tries in the final quarter from Louis Picamoles and Dulin secured the bonus point win for France.

Angelo Esposito scored a late consolation try for Italy in the last action of the game.

Source: AAP