France see off Italy to keep Grand Slam dream alive

France edged closer to the Six Nations Grand Slam after a bonus-point 33-8 defeat of Italy under the closed roof at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille. Italy were a match for France, who secured their third straight win, for long periods of the first half but found themselves 19-0 down after half an hour as the hosts ran in three tries. Wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey went over in the third minute, scoring for the eighth successive Six Nations match, and the Italian try line was breached again by second row Emmanuel Meafou before centre Emilien Gailleton’s superb break set up fly-half Thomas Ramos for the third try.

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France run riot in eight-try mauling of sorry Wales

France cemented their status as the Northern Hemisphere’s most clinical force on Sunday, dismantling a struggling Wales 54-12 at the Principality Stadium. On a grim afternoon for Welsh rugby, Fabien Galthié’s new-look side delivered an eight-try blitz, securing their largest-ever victory in Cardiff and leaving Steve Tandy’s rebuilding project with plenty of work to do.

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France maul Ireland to kick start Six Nations title defence

Ruthless France inflicted more pain on Ireland as the Six Nations holders opened their title defence with a bonus-point victory at a buoyant Stade de France. Having crushed Ireland’s title hopes in emphatic fashion in Dublin last year, Les Bleus – with returning captain Antoine Dupont pulling the strings – roared into a 22-0 half-time lead following a one-sided first half. Ireland improved in the second but were well and truly outclassed by Les Belus.

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Late drama denies Italy historic win on French soil

Paolo Garbisi’s injury-time penalty hit the post as Italy were denied a famous first Six Nations victory in France. The fly-half looked set to seal the historic win until the ball fell off the tee, which resulted in a rushed attempt due to the shot clock. Ange Capuozzo’s late try and Garbisi’s difficult conversion had drawn Italy level against the 14-man hosts.

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Fantastic France inflict record defeat on limp England

Rampant France ran in seven tries to overwhelm a ragged England 53-10, their biggest ever win over the English and first in the Six Nations at Twickenham for 18 years. The French also stayed in contention to win this year’s title ahead of their final game against Wales, climbing to second in the standings behind Ireland.

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