- Fourth straight win keeps France on course for Grand Slam
- Three tries in each half too much for Italy
France 46-20 Italy
France centre David Marty scored two first-half tries as France comfortably defeated Italy in the RBS 6 Nations in Paris.
Marc Lievremont’s side remain in the hunt for the Grand Slam after their fourth straight Championship win, with England the remaining challenge next Saturday at the Stade de France.
Marty’s brace came after Imanol Harinordoquy had opened the scoring when the No.8 collected scrum half Morgan Parra’s break to score under the posts.
The home side went in to the break 23-3 in front as Parra went on to kick 14 points during the game.
In the second half wing Marc Andreu, centre Yannick Jauzion and replacement back row Alexandre Lapandry also registered as France’s fluid rugby continued.
Italy replacements Carlo del Fava and Pablo Cannavossio grabbed late consolation tries for Nick Mallett’s side but by that stage the game was over as a contest.
France versus Italy teams
France: Poitrenaud; Andreu, Marty, Jauzion, Palisson; Trinh-Duc, Parra; Domingo, Servat, Mas, Nallet, Pierre, Dusautoir, Bonnaire, Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Malzieu for Poitrenaud (64), Bastareaud for Jauzion (69), Yachvili for Trinh-Duc (58), Szarzewski for Servat (40), Poux for Mas (40), Chabal for Nallet (48), Lapandry for Dusautoir (58).
Italy: McLean; Masi, Canale, Garcia, Mi Bergamasco; Gower, Tebaldi; Perugini, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Geldenhuys, Bortolami, Sole, Ma Bergamasco, Zanni.
Replacements: Bocchino for Gower (76), Canavosio for Tebaldi (30), Ongaro for Ghiraldini (66), Aguero for Castrogiovanni (66), Del Fava for Bortolami (55).
Not Used: Derbyshire, Robertson.
Sin Bin: Garcia (15).
Att: 78,712
Ref: Alan Lewis (Ireland).