France scored seven tries to thrash Italy 47-19 and finish their World Cup preparations in style in a final warm-up in Paris on Friday.
Despite naming a much-changed side, the hosts finished their preparations before the upcoming World Cup in Japan with a dominant victory in which they simply had too much ammunition for Italy.
France took an early lead through a try from wing Yoann Huget but Italy were able to hit back and go ahead when Tommaso Allan converted Mattia Bellini’s try.
From there it was one-way traffic as France took control of the tie through scores from hooker Camille Chat, impressive young scrumhalf Antoine Dupont and lock Arthur Iturria.
Italy were able to bring themselves back into the tie when Gloucester-based flank Jake Polledri, one of their more impressive performers on the night, scored before Bellini went over for his second.
However, France sealed the tie when flank Wenceslas Lauret and back Thomas Ramos added further tries to complete the win.
Italy will move on to face England in Newcastle which will be both side’s final match before the World Cup.
France – Tries: Yoann Huget, penalty try, Camille Chat, Antoine Dupont, Arthur Iturria, Wenceslas Lauret, Thomas Ramos. Conversions: Romain Ntamack (5)
Italy – Tries: Mattia Bellini (2), Jake Polledri. Conversions: Tomasso Allan (2)
France – 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Sofiane Guitoune, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Gael Fickou, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Yacouba Camara, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Arthur Iturria, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Jefferson Poirot (c).
Subs: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Emerick Setiano, 19 Felix Lambey, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Virimi Vakatawa, 23 Thomas Ramos.
Italy – 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Mattia Bellini, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Matteo Minozzi, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Jake Polledri, 6 Abraham Steyn, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Alessandro Zanni, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Simone Ferrari.
Subs: 16 Federico Zani, 17 Andrea Lovotti, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Dean Budd, 20 Sebastian Negri, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Tommaso Benvenuti.
Photo: Getty Images
