Italy crushed by rampant France

A RAMPANT France warmed up for the business end of their tournament in superb fashion with this crushing win over hapless Italy in Lyon. 

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

It was champagne rugby – four tries in each half – and once again showcased the sublime versatility of this side. Italy were poor but not as poor as against New Zealand but when Les Bleus turn up the wick they are virtually unstoppable.

Damian Penaud may have been the tormentor in chief with two tries and numerous try assists but there were stand outs everywhere. Fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, who has settled so seamlessly that the absence of Romain Ntamack is no longer commented on; Jonathan Danty who grows stronger with every game and a pack in which Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch and Gregory Alldritt were all world class.

Mathematically, France could have gone out of the World Cup had Italy beaten them by any score and Les Bleus opened like a team keen to extinguish that very remote possibility as quickly as possible. Penaud scored his brace and both Tomas Ramos and young prodigy Louis Bielle-Biarrey crossed.