France 35-22 Italy: Six Nations result, report, reaction and highlights

France 35-22 Italy

France tries: Thomas, Ollivon, Alldritt, Ntamack, Serin
France conversions: Ntamack, Jalibert
France penalties: Ntamack (2)

Italy tries: Minozzi, Zani, Bellini
Italy conversions: Allan (2)
Italy penalties: Allan

Match report

Romain Ntamack raced in the bonus-point score in Paris to seal five-try France a patchy 35-22 victory over Italy.

The Toulouse fly-half endured a mixed afternoon, struggling with his goal-kicking in strong winds caused by Storm Ciara.

But the 20-year-old came good for Les Bleus' fourth score, as Fabien Galthie's men made it two wins from two to join Ireland as the only other team with a 100 per cent record in the competition.

Teddy Thomas, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt, Ntamack and Baptiste Serin all crossed for the French, who coasted to victory despite several phases of wayward attacking play.

Wasps' electric wing Matteo Minozzi, hooker Federico Zani and Mattia Bellini bagged tries for the battling Azzurri, but Franco Smith's side still slipped to a 24th straight Six Nations loss.

France have not won the Six Nations since their 2010 Grand Slam, but after adding this eventually facile victory over Italy to the scalping of England, hopes will be high that the drought can come to an end.

New head coach Galthie's men will face a strong test of their title credentials when heading to Wales on February 22 though.

Factor in the return of defence coach Shaun Edwards to his old Principality Stadium stomping ground, and that encounter will doubtless prove pivotal to the entire tournament's make-up.

Les Bleus bludgeoned into early control, Thomas racing in after neat build-up.

Flanker Ollivon then doubled the hosts' try count, punching over the line from short range.

Ntamack struggled with the ball off the tee in the increasingly stormy conditions, and a mini slump from the French allowed Italy back into the contest.

Wasps star Minozzi capped a fine 13-phase move with a morale-boosting score for the Azzurri, who had the ever-excellent Jake Polledri to thank for creating the necessary midfield space for the try.

The powerful Gloucester flanker for once opted against brute force, instead pivoting and delivering a cute pass out the back, with Braam Steyn's shy dummy line also foxing the French.

Allan's penalty just shy of the half-hour hauled Italy into touching distance at 13-10 down, but the visitors could not muster enough of a comeback to alter the outcome.

France number eight Alldritt cantered home having lurked on the left wing and been duly furnished with a superb floated pass from Antoine Dupont.

Les Bleus' petit general scrum-half had another match to remember, scampering around the fringes and directing his side in style.

And his pass out to Alldritt allowed the big forward almost a walk-in, to leave France leading 23-10 at the break.

A largely forgettable third quarter came and went without incident, before France sealed the bonus point.

Italy's first-half rally had long evaporated when Ntamack bisected the visiting defence, scything through for a facile try, and Les Bleus' fourth.

Replacement hooker Zani registered for Italy however, dotting the ball against the base of the post for the Azzurri's second try.

And that set up a needlessly nervy denouement for the French, who invited yet more pressure when Ntamack spilled a high ball.

Again the Italians were unable to make good on any kind of comeback though, and replacement half-back Serin stunned the Azzurri with a sharp quick-tap try.

The scrum-half raced clear with quick wits, grubbering to turn the defence and beating the cover to the ball to score.

Italy managed the last word, with Bellini scampering home after Jayden Hayward's break. But France still roll on, with the defining battle yet to come in Cardiff.

Reaction

Paul Willemse has warned France to cut out the indiscipline to stay in the hunt for a first Six Nations title in 10 years.

The South Africa-born lock lamented Les Bleus' errant showing despite running in five tries to ease past Italy 35-22 in Paris.

Fabien Galthie's France backed up their victory over England by securing another bonus-point win, fending off the spirited Azzurri at the Stade de France.

Les Bleus have not tasted Six Nations success since their 2010 Grand Slam, but have launched a youthful resurgence under Galthie and former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards.

France will now head to Cardiff to take on Wales on February 22, with Willemse admitting Galthie's men must sharpen up, especially without the ball.

"It was definitely a bit frustrating against Italy, we got what we wanted with the bonus point so we're happy with that," Willemse told BBC Sport.

"But our performance, a lot of errors especially discipline wise so we've got to fix that as quickly as possible.

"Our previous game it wasn't a big thing, so we definitely want to fix that as quickly as possible, it's not normal for us to have so many penalties.

"But that will definitely be a focus in the weeks to come to make sure it doesn't happen again.

"It's really been a great atmosphere in our team, a lot of young guys are just starting and we're moving forward.

"We have a plan, a road map of where we want to go.

"So we're just getting together and starting to build our history, and that's what we want to do now."

Teddy Thomas, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt, Romain Ntamack and Baptiste Serin all crossed for the French, who coasted to victory despite a patchy showing.

Matteo Minozzi, Federico Zani and Mattia Bellini bagged tries for Italy, who mustered a solid fight - but still slipped to their 24th Six Nations loss in succession.

Captain Luca Bigi still maintained Italy are moving in the right direction under new coach Franco Smith, despite another frustrating defeat.

"We showed how strong we can be in attack," he told BBC Sport.

"We never gave up and that's a positive.

"The guys on the pitch showed great face on the pitch today.

"It was a tough week because we conceded so many turnovers at the breakdown last week.

"We conceded too many penalties in the first half even though we were better.

"We have to keep the positives from this game. It's important that we scored at the end and we'll keep to the positives for the Scotland game."

Match highlights

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