France recorded a bonus-point win against a spirited Italy in Lille to maintain their bid for a Six Nations Grand Slam and back-to-back titles.
Les Bleus raced into a 19-0 lead through tries by Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Emmanuel Meafou and Thomas Ramos, who was a late switch at fly-half after Matthieu Jalibert was ruled out of the game.
Despite the early dominance on the scoreboard, Italy remained competitive and responded by an Ange Capuozzo try and a Paolo Garbisi penalty.
With Louis Lynagh in the sin-bin, debutant Gael Drean grabbed the vital bonus-point try and Emilien Gailleton crossed in a less eventful second half.
The visitors have only beaten France twice in the Six Nations, with the 2024 game ending in a thrilling draw in Lille.
France, who lost only one game in last year’s championship, next travel to Edinburgh to face Scotland on Saturday, 7 March, while Italy host England on the same day.
Given Galthie’s side’s strength at home, where they will play England in the final game, the next match could define their Grand Slam hopes.
“I think we always believed we would get the bonus-point win,” Meafou told ITV.
“We knew Italy were a strong team, they hung in for 80 minutes, they never cracked and they never let go.
“Our goal is to take out the Six Nations game by game but the end goal is the 2027 World Cup so we keep working towards that.”
Back-to-back heavy defeats for Steve Borthwick’s side will also help build Italy’s confidence of recording a first win over England.
Gonzalo Quesada’s side defeated Scotland in the opening round and ran out of steam to compete in the second half against Les Bleus.
