| France: (17) 39 |
| Tries: Fall, Gros, Murie, Boulard, Jacquet; Pens:Drouin 2 Cons: Drouin 2, Tremouliere 2 |
| Italy: (6) 6 |
| Pens: Sillari 2 |
France rebuffed a determined Italy in order to open their Women’s Six Nations with a Grenoble bonus-point win.
Les Bleues, who are seeking a title for the first time since 2018, were able to take a 17-6 lead at halftime thanks to Emeline Gros and Madoussou Fall’s tries.
Italy continued to challenge but Lea Murie’s, Emilie Boulard’s and Chloe Jacquet’s efforts secured a French victory.
France is second on the table, and an encounter with England at the final weekend will decide the title.
France wins a late victory after a slow start
France won against Scotland in a victory match on Saturday. France started off with some shaky passes, but then capitalized on the Italian discipline with a Caroline Drouin penalty.
Italy started looking much cleaner and after Michela Sillari won a penalty of her own hooker Melissa Bettoni managed to cross the line. French defenders held the ball up.
Although the hosts had difficulties with their line-outs, they eventually succeeded in stringing phases together. Italy was unable to contain France’s forwards at close range and lock Fall, then number eight Gros, was taken over.
Italy was becoming more aggressive and Sillari added a second penality, but the Azzurre were unable to claim any more goals from the first half despite several breaks in the midfield.
After the break, the visitors showed more energy. France however extended their lead with a Drouin penalty.
Laure Sansus was the replacement scrum half and added pace to the hosts’ backline. Murie scored with a series swift offloads.
Boulard then timed her support run perfectly to get through an Italy gap and cover half of the pitch. This was a stunning solo try. Jacquet scored a bonus point to complete a late flurry.
Italy has shown that they are a formidable opponent in this tournament. France must work hard if England is to win a fourth consecutive title.
More information to come.
Line-ups
France: Jacquet; Murie, Filopon, Vernier, Castel; Drouin, Chambon; Deshayes, Sochat, Joyeux, Fall, Forlani, Menager, Hermet, Gros.
Replacements: Touye, Lindelauf, Khalfaoui, Feleu, Berthoumieu, Sansus, Tremouliere, Boulard.
Italy: Furlan; Muzzo, Sillari, D’Inca, Magatti; Rigoni, Stefan; Maris, Bettoni, Gai, Tounesi, Duca, Sberna, Locatelli, Giordano.
Replacements: Vecchini, Stecca, Seye, Fedrighi, Frangipani, Barattin, Madia, Ostuni Minuzzi.