France recorded a bonus-point win against a spirited Italy in Lille to maintain their bid for a Six Nations Grand Slam and back-to-back titles.
Les Bleus raced into a 19-0 lead through tries by Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Emmanuel Meafou and Thomas Ramos, who was a late switch at fly-half after Matthieu Jalibert was ruled out of the game.
Despite the early dominance on the scoreboard, Italy remained competitive and responded by an Ange Capuozzo try and a Paolo Garbisi penalty.
With Louis Lynagh in the sin-bin, debutant Gael Drean grabbed the vital bonus-point try and Emilien Gailleton crossed in a less eventful second half.
The visitors have only beaten France twice in the Six Nations, with the 2024 game ending in a thrilling draw in Lille.
France, who lost only one game in last year’s championship, next travel to Edinburgh to face Scotland on Saturday, 7 March, while Italy host England on the same day.
Given Galthie’s side’s strength at home, where they will play England in the final game, the next match could define their Grand Slam hopes.
Back-to-back heavy defeats for Steve Borthwick’s side will also help build Italy’s confidence of recording a first win over England.
Gonzalo Quesada’s side defeated Scotland in the opening round and ran out of steam to compete in the second half against Les Bleus.
Italy fade as France maintain Grand Slam hopes
France’s slick attacking play blew away Ireland and Wales in the opening two rounds to emphatically begin their pursuit of a first Grand Slam since 2022.
Flash tries had the visitors on the back foot early as Antoine Dupont’s kick through found flyer Bielle-Biarrey for him to score in a record eighth successive Six Nations game.
Following Meafou’s finish from close range, Gailleton’s clean break came out of nothing to help set-up Ramos’ try.
Two years ago in Lille, the hosts learnt the hard way to not overlook an improving Italy side as Paolo Garbisi’s injury-time penalty hit the post to deny them a first Six Nations victory in France.
Italy, who pushed Ireland close in Dublin last week, stayed calm in the chaos and should have had one more than one first-half try that was scored by Capuozzo.
Despite fading in the second half, Quesada’s side’s scrum – like in Dublin – was a real weapon in the game to win penalties.
Centres Tommaso Menoncello and Leonardo Marin both looked threatening and could cause England’s defence, which has been struggling, problems.
The hosts had to work hard for the important fourth try but were never in danger of a shock defeat.
Anything other than a Grand Slam now would feel like a failure for what is a great French side.