Dupont The Star Again As France Run In Seven

How good is Antoine Dupont? France counted the ways at least three times in the opening half-hour.

- James Harrington

The livewire No.9 made three tries and stopped an Italian opportunity in its tracks with a perfectly judged tackle as Les Bleus made light work of a match that had a high awkward potential.

Thirty minutes later, he walked off the pitch with a try of his own, another assist – and the first of, no doubt, many Six Nations player of the match awards under his belt.

Italy’s afternoon was summed up seven minutes before the end of the first half when Montanna Ioane thought he had scored following a brilliant break from scrum-half Stephen Varney, flat footing Dupont in the five-metre channel, only to have it ruled out for a forward pass.

By then France had scored three times.

That was the Azzurris’ day all over. They had huffed and puffed, worked hard and often troubled the French defence, particularly with some smart play around the rucks. But they only had a Garbisi penalty for their efforts until Luca Sperandio’s solo try on 66 minutes.

Shortly after Italy’s only try, France forwards coach William Servat passed the message to the players that they were to, simply, “enjoy yourselves”.