"The Azzurri had unfinished business in Lille. It was two years ago in the northern city that Les Bleus, still in the midst of a post-World Cup hangover, miraculously escaped with a draw after being outplayed by the visitors. For the French, that quasi-defeat prompted a complete rejuvenation of the team which yielded immediate results. France were now an entirely different beast, as they showed their cross-Alpine neighbours in the Rome drubbing last year."
"Les Bleus initially looked to be putting together another first-half frenzy of tries. It was the inevitable Louis Bielle-Biarrey who went over first, latching on to Antoine Dupont's kick through to score for a record-breaking eighth consecutive Six Nations fixture. France's second came after an intricate 50-22 found by Thomas Ramos, who was deputising at fly-half for the injured Matthieu Jalibert. Emmanuel Meafou eventually powered over after a few phases for his first try for his country."
"The inclusion of Meafou and Thibaud Flament, both starting for the first time in this year's tournament, effectively neutralised the Italian power that had caused issues for Ireland last week. Gonzalo Quesada's men did not go under though and responded with several forays into the French 22. Poor handling and a lightning-quick France defence would invariably stop them in their tracks. The storm of Azzurri attacks was eventually brought to a end when Dupont snatched the ball away from an airborne Tommaso Menoncello."
France secured a hard-fought victory over Italy in Lille, moving clear atop the Six Nations table and preserving grand slam ambitions. Italy sought redemption from a draw in Lille two years earlier that spurred France's subsequent team rejuvenation and Rome drubbing. France opened strongly with Louis Bielle-Biarrey finishing Antoine Dupont's kick for a record eighth consecutive Six Nations fixture. Thomas Ramos' 50-22 and Emmanuel Meafou's powered try extended the lead. The inclusion of Meafou and Thibaud Flament contained Italian forward power. Italy mounted repeated attacks but were repeatedly halted by poor handling and a swift French defence, with Dupont forcing a turnover.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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