SM
Cagliari vs. Juventus: 9 hrs 34 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Six Nations | Group Stage
Feb 9, 2020 at 3pm UK
 
France
35-22
Italy
Thomas (7'), Ollivon (18'), Alldritt (39'), Ntamack (59'), Serin (74')
FT
Minozzi (25'), Zani (65'), Bellini (80')

France secure bonus-point victory against Italy

:Headline: Result: France secure bonus-point victory against Italy: ID:389230: from db_amp
Teddy Thomas, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt and Baptiste Serin also crossed.

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.

Fabien Galthie has spurred France to a quick revival (David Davies/PA)

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.

Antoine Dupont, pictured, played a pivotal role for France again (David Davies/PA)

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.

Baptiste Serin, pictured, scored a fine solo try for France (David Davies/PA)

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.

amp_article__389230 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-02-09 17:46:45:
html db last update - 2021-02-22 09:21:20 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .