A record demolition. France rocked up in Rome and roared at everyone “See? We can take our chances”. Finishing with 11 tries was a big, bold statement in bleu.
This fixture tends to be either cagey - a 13-13 draw in Lille last year - or a massacre in France’s favour, and you can put the 2025 edition firmly in the latter category. Their forwards beat Italy up and their backs were merciless, scoring more points than France ever have before in the Six Nations. No, Italy’s defence was not good, but you had the feeling that France would have steamrollered most teams on this form.
Fabien Galthie’s selections in the week raised eyebrows; Matthieu Jalibert and Damian Penaud gone, Thomas Ramos moved to No 10, a seven-one split on the bench. They all paid off. Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wing is an outrageous talent and this guy they have at scrum-half, Antoine Dupont, did OK too, winning what must presumably be his thousandth player of the match award.
The roar which greeted the arrival of Sergio Parisse to deliver the match ball before kickoff was quite wonderful, the greatest of Italian forwards accompanied on the field by his two children. In many ways he is a reminder of how far Italy have come, a world-class talent who carried a side on his own. This Azzurri side are, thankfully, a more complete outfit. Except for today.
France acknowledged Parisse’s remarkable career and then unleashed a ferocious start, rattling Italy’s defence with the hosts doing well to survive. A forward pass ruled out an potential opening score for Barre and from the resulting scrum Italy won a free-kick and struck first, with a move which must have had the French defence coach Shaun Edwards putting his fist through a wall. Tommaso Menoncello, hitting a hard line on an angle off his centre partner Juan Ignacio Brex, burst into space and no one in Rome would have caught him.
That just seemed to annoy a French side hungry to play as fast as possible. Mickael Guillard burst through a ruck to score but had Dupont knocked on in the build-up? The TMO ruled otherwise.
A tackle off the ball from Paul Boudehent allowed Tommaso Allan to kick Italy back ahead off the tee but that lead was brief.
France’s long kicking game is a favourite Fabien Galthie tactic and a nudge from Barre left Allan in all sorts of bother, forced back over his own line to put France in position to eventually score through their maul with Guillard grabbing a second.
This French back-three are young and hugely talented, with Barre the veteran at 22. His offload then released Bielle-Biarrey down the touchline, with Dupont in position on the inside for try number three.
A turnover poach from the prop Jean-Baptiste Gros snuffed out Italy’s efforts to respond, but only momentarily. Niccolo Cannone, the lock, came up with an outrageous switch pass and France were stumped as Brex cruised over.
What a finish though to the half from France with Dupont in full flow. Paul Boudehent crashed through for the bonus point try and then Dupont cleverly slowed up to hold the defence, waiting for Barre to burst onto his pass with too much power for Italy to handle, an enthralling half finishing with France ahead 35-17.
Italy’s inability to stop wave after wave of French power runners has been a pre-match concern and quickly became reality. Gregory Alldritt was the latest French forward to bash over with seven forwards waiting to come off the bench.
Having defended gamely for the most part Italy would have been disappointed by Bielle-Biarrey’s try - his 15th in 17 Tests - after Brex jumped out of the defensive line to leave a huge gap behind.
The dam had now well and truly burst. Dupont, architect of so many tries himself, became the beneficiary of a break from Yoram Moefana to add his second. Two touches in particular from Bielle-Biarrey were outrageous, a one-handed flick back inside while in mid-air followed by the cutest of grubber kicks before setting up Barre for a second.
There was one final selection wrinkle. Dupont was kept on for the full 80 minutes, moving to fly half after Ramos was withdrawn. With Ireland up next, leaving him on in a contest which was long over felt like Galthie was sending a message, and also gave Dupont some valuable minutes at fly half.
It would have been wrong for Theo Attissogbe, selected over the dropped Penaud, to miss out on a try and he fittingly added their tenth. Will Penaud be back for Dublin? Perhaps not. Ireland’s defence will be much harder to break down - Pierre-Louis Barassi adding France’s 11th and final try - but the combination of muscle and majestic skill France displayed here will only add more hype onto what has always felt like the game of the tournament.
05:28 PM GMT
Next time
The Six Nations takes a weekend off next weekend before we finish up with the final two rounds of action on back-to-back weekends. Here are the fixtures to look forward to in a couple of weeks in round four:
Saturday 8th March:
Ireland vs France 2.15pm
Scotland vs Wales 4.45pm
Sunday 9th March:
England vs Italy 3pm
05:20 PM GMT
The thoughts of former Italy captain Sergio Parisse
“The France forwards played really flat and narrow before moving the ball wide. It is a tough result to take for Italy. France played the game they wanted to play and they deserve their win.
“This Italian team was playing against a powerful side. In two weeks time they play England so they must learn from this game because England will be a physical team.
“We saw a couple of good tries in the first-half. In every game you have good things even if you conceded 70 points. The defence was not good enough and we were under pressure physically.”
05:17 PM GMT
Your views
Richard Freer: “Sad for Italy - they looked better than that to start with. France were just too good, but Ireland await…”
Gwyn Jones: “Absolutely brilliant performance by France, such a pleasure to watch such fluent uninhibited rugby.”
J Landau: “And not a box kick to be seen!”
Andrew Knight: “France the ultimate flat track bullies.”
Jimbo Jones: “That was brutal.”
05:15 PM GMT
Reflections of Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada
05:11 PM GMT
The thoughts of Italy’s Michele Lamaro
05:08 PM GMT
Gregory Alldritt speaking post-match
05:05 PM GMT
What about Italy?
We all expected a lot more than that from Italy today and to think they scored the first try of the match! Not to take too much away from France who were brilliant and clinical, but that was pretty dismal from the hosts.
05:03 PM GMT
Joy for France
France have most certainly bounced back from an error-strewn defeat at England two weeks ago and they have moved above England into second, three points behind leaders Ireland.
04:58 PM GMT
The thoughts of man of the match Antoine Dupont
04:54 PM GMT
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04:53 PM GMT
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04:51 PM GMT
This weekend’s results
Saturday:
Wales 18-27 Ireland
England 16-15 Scotland
Today:
Italy 24-73 France
04:48 PM GMT
Full time
Lucu misses the conversion but that will not dampen French spirits. They have scored 73 points in Rome and have utterly dominated Italy. It feels a long time ago that Italy scored the first try of the match nearly a couple of hours ago.
04:47 PM GMT
TRY! Barassi finishes off rampant French performance
France are looking for a final flourish and they get it through Barassi. They have responded to the defeat to England two weeks ago in emphatic fashion as Barassi goes over in the corner.
04:42 PM GMT
TRY! Attissogbe adds another to the French tally
The French have had a great day in Rome. They shift it wide to the right and neat footwork from Attissogbe gets him over. Italy probably should not have allowed him to score but credit to Attissogbe for the neat finish. Lucu is now on conversions and lands that one.
04:42 PM GMT
75 mins: Italy 24 France 61
Ruzza is penalised for a deliberate knock-on on halfway. France kick into the Italy 22.
04:39 PM GMT
73 mins: Italy 24 France 61
Attissogbe makes a great break into the Italy 22 and France are looking for yet another try. The Italian defence stands up and Gesi kicks ahead a loose ball when the ball goes to ground. He gets to the edge of the France 22 but Italy then give away a penalty.
04:37 PM GMT
70 mins: Italy 24 France 61
Italy move into the France 22 but their progress stalls when Marchand gets over the ruck really well and wins the visitors a penalty.
04:33 PM GMT
68 mins: Italy 24 France 61
Lucu, France’s only back on the bench, is on but not for Dupont. He replaces Ramos, meaning Dupont will move out to fly-half.
Look forward to hearing afterwards why Galthie left Dupont on. I would guess it is to give him more time at No 10 in case Ramos goes down moving forward, because France could absolutely go seven-one on the bench again in Dublin.
04:31 PM GMT
66 mins: Italy 24 France 61
France deploy their final forward off the bench as Roumat replaces Flament.
04:30 PM GMT
TRY! Barre over after sublime Bielle-Biarrey skill
Ramos runs a great line and makes a terrific break from inside his own half. France then shift it out to the left and Bielle-Biarrey, right by the touchline, puts a cute little grubber kick ahead. He then gathers his own kick and passes inside to Barre to score. Sublime skill. Ramos gets the conversion and France go past 60.
04:27 PM GMT
63 mins: Italy 24 France 54
Amazingly Negri has come back on, despite looking in some pain. It has been deemed a blood reversal and he is back on, replacing Lamaro.
04:26 PM GMT
TRY! P Garbisi gets Italy’s third
They go to the left from the scrum and P Garbisi powers his way over despite a high-ish tackle from Dupont. He converts his own try. They have no chance of winning this game but will be aiming for a try bonus point, which is one try away.
04:24 PM GMT
59 mins: Italy 17 France 54
Italy make a terrific break from a scrum inside their own half and have possession now inside the French 22. They are then given a penalty as France are caught offside. No thought of going for goal, instead they opt for a scrum.
04:21 PM GMT
57 mins: Italy 17 France 54
France try to maul their way over the line but are penalised for obstruction.
04:20 PM GMT
56 mins: Italy 17 France 54
France are having so much fun here. They are playing Harlem Globetrotters stuff, including a sensational one-handed catch and offload from Bielle-Biarrey down the left touchline. They then go all the way to the right, where Attissogbe is hauled into touch not far from the Italian line. France had a penalty advantage anyway so we go back for that. They go to the corner...
04:19 PM GMT
55 mins: Italy 17 France 54
Italy are making a double change as Vintcent and Trulla are replacing L Cannone and Allan, who was limping off.
04:17 PM GMT
TRY! Dupont takes France past 50
Boy are the French responding to the errors they made against England two weeks ago. They come down the right and Moefana makes the break through the Italian defensive line. He then offloads inside to Dupont, who cannot be prevented from going over as France pass the 50-point mark. Ramos lands the easy conversion.
04:14 PM GMT
TRY! Bielle-Biarrey scores in sixth successive match
France are closing in on 50. They go down the blindside and Attissogbe offloads brilliantly back inside right on the touchline to find Bielle-Biarrey. Ramos’ conversion slides by the left post but France are now just three points short of the 50 mark.
04:11 PM GMT
48 mins: Italy 17 France 42
France have named seven forwards on the bench and they are going to deploy six of them in one go. Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Jegou and Jelonch all on. The only forward on the French bench not to come on is Roumat.
Italy are being forced into an change as Negri is in some pain. He is limping off and Zuliani is replacing him.
Six forwards off the bench at once, France? Are we calling that an Équipe Bombe?
04:08 PM GMT
46 mins: Italy 17 France 42
Italy are making a double change in the front-row as Nicotera and Zilocchi are on for Lucchesi and Ferrari.
04:07 PM GMT
TRY! Alldritt powers over from short range
We had 52 points in the first half and inside five minutes of the second we have a try. Alldritt picks and goes from just a few metres out and there is no stopping the French number eight. Ramos gets the east conversion and France’s lead is up to 25 points.
04:06 PM GMT
44 mins: Italy 17 France 35
France make good progress into the Italian 22 but the visitors steal possession. They should clear but the box-kick is blocked and France have it again inside the Italy 22. The home side are caught offside and France have a penalty deep inside the 22. Ramos kicks into the corner...
04:02 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way in Rome. 52 points in the first half, how many will see in the second?
03:56 PM GMT
HT verdict
We get it, France, you messed up against England and this is your revenge. Point made. Italy have not even been bad and have conceded five tries. Hard to pick out an individual but Barre hits the line so hard and with so much pace.
03:52 PM GMT
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03:47 PM GMT
Half time
That is it for a crazy first half and France lead 35-17 at the break. That was bonkers and we still have 40 minutes left. And breathe...
03:46 PM GMT
TRY! France add a fifth through Barre
The Italian defence cannot hold out just before half time. France have numbers and space out to the left and Dupont sucks in a few defenders before offloading to Barre as he hits contact. There is no stopping the rangy full-back and France have their fifth try. Ramos gets the conversion and France lead by 16 points with seconds left in this first half.
03:44 PM GMT
38 mins: Italy 17 France 28
France work it nicely down the left and now have it on the edge of the Italy 22. Barassi then carries well into the Italian 22 and the hosts need a good defensive set here.
03:43 PM GMT
37 mins: Italy 17 France 28
Garbisi gets a terrific offload off to Ruzza from the ground on the French 10-metre line and the Italian lock attempts another audacious pass like he did for Brex’s try but it does not go to hand. Nearly another opening for Italy.
03:37 PM GMT
TRY! Boudehent secures France’s bonus point
Can you keep up? France are attacking again inside the Italy 22 and, from around 10 metres out, they go down the blindside. Dupont passes to Boudehent, who powers his way through a few Italian defenders and scores the bonus-point try for France. The conversion is successful and France lead by 11.
03:34 PM GMT
TRY! Brex over after stunning Ruzza offload
The move started with a great break from Capuozzo and ends up with a stunning offload. After the Capuozzo break, Italy make good progress towards the French 22 and Ruzza offloads brilliantly inside to Brex, who goes over. Allan gets the conversion and the gap is down to four points. What a brilliant opening 30 minutes we have been treated to.
03:33 PM GMT
27 mins: Italy 10 France 21
France stop the maul so Italy get it out. But just five metres out from their line France steal possession and clear.
03:32 PM GMT
26 mins: Italy 10 France 21
Flament is penalised for obstruction just outside his 22 and Italy kick to the corner.
03:31 PM GMT
TRY! Dupont over for France’s third
The visitors are in again and it is Mr. Dupont who scores it. They work it down the right and a neat offload from Barre sends Bielle-Biarrey sprinting down the touchline. He passes inside to Dupont, who goes over untouched. Ramos gets the conversion and France’s lead extends to 11 points. Plenty of French supporters in Rome and they are delighted.
03:27 PM GMT
TRY! Mauvaka rumbles over to give France the lead
France go to the corner and rumble towards the line. Italy cannot stop the rolling maul and Mauvaka is the beneficiary at the back of the maul. Ramos nails a tough touchline conversion and France lead by four points.
Well that French maul looks ominous. A good time to remind you that France have seven forwards on the bench - wonder what their approach might be?
03:25 PM GMT
20 mins: Italy 10 France 7
France have a penalty advantage from the scrum and Dupont nearly finds Bielle-Biarrey with a clever crossfield kick but it goes just dead.
03:24 PM GMT
19 mins: Italy 10 France 7
Barre puts a kick through into the Italy 22 and Allan is bundled back over his own line by a combination of Attissogbe and Barre, which will result in a scrum for France five metres out from the Italian line.
03:22 PM GMT
PENALTY ITALY!
From around 40 metres out right in front, Allan lands the penalty and Italy lead by three.
03:22 PM GMT
17 mins: Italy 7 France 7
Boudehent is penalised for tackle off the ball inside his own half and Italy are going for goal. They are being forced into an early change in the front-row as loosehead prop Fischetti hobbles off. Spagnolo replaces him.
03:18 PM GMT
TRY! Guillard powers over for visitors
France respond quickly but the hosts are wanting a knock-on to be given. Guillard is the man to power through a few tackles and stretch for the line. Italy believe there was a knock-on from Dupont at the base of the ruck before the try was scored but it looks like it went backwards so the try stands. Ramos gets the conversion and we are all square in Rome.
03:18 PM GMT
13 mins: Italy 7 France 0
France are back into the Italy 22 after a great run by Barre. They are getting closer and closer to the Italy line...
03:15 PM GMT
TRY! Menoncello over for the hosts
We do have the first try of the match and the home crowd explode with joy! It is a first-phase try straight from the scrum and a superbly timed pass from Brex sends Menoncello through a gap and he will not be stopped, running all the way through to the line from around 40 metres out. Allan lands the conversion and Italy lead 7-0.
03:14 PM GMT
NO TRY!
The Attissogbe offload is actually irrelevant as before that Ramos’ pass to Attissogbe was forward so the try is chalked off. I suspect that Attissogbe pass was also forward so plenty of reasons to disallow that try.
03:13 PM GMT
TRY! France score opener after stunning Attissogbe offload
The visitors get the first score of the match but will it stand? Attissogbe kicks ahead down the right touchline but was his stunning offload inside to Barre forward?
03:12 PM GMT
9 mins: Italy 0 France 0
Allan’s kick has the legs but misses wide to the right.
03:11 PM GMT
8 mins: Italy 0 France 0
France are caught offside just inside their own half and Italy point to the posts in an attempt to register the first points of the game...
03:09 PM GMT
6 mins: Italy 0 France 0
Italy show some boldness attacking from deep in their 22 but go for the box-kick from just outside their 22 and then force a France knock-on on halfway before clearing downfield.
03:07 PM GMT
4 mins: Italy 0 France 0
The hosts scramble well in defence and France knock on just over five metres from the Italian line. France wasted plenty of chances against England a few weeks ago and they will be frustrated they are not on the board already this afternoon.
03:06 PM GMT
3 mins: Italy 0 France 0
Italy under pressure again after a great break from Moefana through the Italy defensive line as France have it deep inside the hosts’ 22. They are getting closer and closer to the Italian line...
03:05 PM GMT
2 mins: Italy 0 France 0
Italy will be happy with their first defensive set as they force a knock on and then clear their lines.
03:03 PM GMT
1 min: Italy 0 France 0
A brilliant start for France, who win a penalty at the breakdown just inside the Italy 22 as the hosts are punished for holding on straight from kick-off. To the corner they go...
03:03 PM GMT
Kick-off
I just mentioned Mr. Parisse and he is on hand to deliver the match ball, which the crowd absolutely loves! Italy’s most-capped player is given a guard of honour as he makes his way onto the pitch.
We are under way in Rome.
Rome looks nice, doesn’t it? Fascinated by Italy’s kicking strategy after watching them over the opening two rounds. The power of France’s set-piece will worry them, meaning you want to avoid line-outs, but kick loosely in-field and you are inviting counter-attacks from Bielle-Biarrey and company. Tricky.
02:55 PM GMT
Anthem time
Both sides emerge to a great atmosphere in Rome and it is time for two of the best national anthems around. “La Marseillaise” followed by “Il Canto degli Italiani”.
The French anthem is rather ruined by problems with the sound system but as per usual the Italian anthem is belted out with some enthusiasm and passion. The camera panned onto Italian great Sergio Parisse during the anthem, which would certainly have pleased the home fans.
Conditions are perfect in Rome.
02:52 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams
Italy starting XV: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Gesi; P. Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Zuliani, Vintcent, A Garbisi, Trulla.
France starting XV: Barre; Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos; Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.
Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu.
02:44 PM GMT
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02:39 PM GMT
France defence coach Shaun Edwards talking to ITV
02:36 PM GMT
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02:32 PM GMT
The thoughts pre-match of Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada
02:29 PM GMT
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02:26 PM GMT
This weekend’s fixtures
Saturday:
Wales 18-27 Ireland
England 16-15 Scotland
Today:
Italy vs France 3pm
02:19 PM GMT
Team news
Italy have made two changes to their side that beat Wales two weeks ago. On the wing Simone Gesi replaces the injured Monty Ioane and Gianmarco Lucchesi replaces Giacomo Nicotera at hooker.
Italy starting XV: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Gesi; P. Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Zuliani, Vintcent, A Garbisi, Trulla.
Fabian Galthie has opted to make four changes to his starting XV from France’s defeat to England. Fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and winger Damian Penaud have been dropped, meaning Thomas Ramos switches from full-back to fly-half and Leo Barre and Theo Attissogbe come into the back three. Thibaud Flament makes his first appearance of this year’s Six Nations alongside Mickael Guillard, who also comes into the starting XV. Emmanuel Meafou is out with illness. France have opted for the very aggressive 7-1 forwards-backs bench split, with Bordeaux scrum-half Maxime Lucu the only recognised back on the bench.
France starting XV: Barre; Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos; Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.
Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu.
12:40 PM GMT
Match preview
The final match in round three of the 2025 Six Nations comes from Rome as Italy host France at the Stadio Olimpico in the 50th Test meeting between these nations. It is fair to say that France have dominated this fixture down the years, winning a whopping 45 of the 49 meetings, which is 91.837% of the matches. However these sides did draw 13-13 in Lille last year with a dramatic ending. Italy had the chance to win the game at the death but fly-half Paolo Garbisi’s penalty hit the post to deny Italy a first Six Nations win in France.
The hosts have won one and lost one in their first two games; they lost 31-19 away at Scotland before beating Wales 22-15 at home two weeks ago, leaving them fifth but with the chance to move up into third with a victory today. Italy are aiming to win their third successive Six Nations home game for the first time in their history and their head coach Gonzalo Quesada believes his side are playing with more confidence now.
“We have a bit more faith in what we want to do. We know how we want to manage games, what our in-game philosophy is and how we’re going to play. I hope we’ll see this on the pitch against a team that is better than us, that we know is better than us.”
Meanwhile France have also won one and lost one so far. They comfortably dispatched Wales 43-0 on opening night but narrowly lost 26-25 away at England last time out. That error-strewn performance ended their Grand Slam hopes and massively puts them on the back foot to even win the Six Nations, with a tough trip to Dublin coming up in round four. The defeat to England was their second straight away defeat, the first time that has happened to them since 2021. The 2022 champions are third but could move up into second ahead of England with a bonus-point victory. Their head coach Fabien Galthie has explained his decision-making, including opting for a bold 7-1 forwards-backs bench split.
“To play in this team, you have to perform well. There are times when you have to make choices, you have to arbitrate between different possibilities. Our vision is focused on the match and the long term. It is tactical [the bench split] and linked to a very special opponent. We decided to try a strategy to be ready in the key sectors in which Italy are extremely good.”
Galthie has been ruthless, dropping the likes of Matthieu Jalibert and Damian Penaud from the matchday 23. These sides have met 25 times in the Six Nations, with France winning 22. Their two defeats to Italy came in Rome, the stage for today’s game, in 2011 and 2013.
Kick-off from Rome is at 3pm.
