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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France flourish to leave Ireland’s Grand Slam dream in tatters

Rampant France took control of the Six Nations title race as they scored 34 unanswered points to thrash Ireland in Dublin and end the home side’s Grand Slam hopes. Despite losing captain Antoine Dupont to a suspected “serious” knee injury after 30 minutes, France scored three second-half tries to move two points clear of Ireland at the top and avenge last year’s defeat in Marseille.

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France have ‘no doubts’ Antoine Dupont will return for quarters

France’s coaching staff have revealed they have no doubts that their talismanic captain Antoine Dupont will be available for selection for their Rugby World Cup Quarter-final. The scrum-half suffered a fractured cheek in their resounding win over Namibia last week sparking concerns the 26 year old would miss the remainder of the tournament.

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