France flew into the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup with a dominant display against Italy that saw them score 57 points with hardly a reply in Lyon.
Damian Penaud was the first to go over the line, scoring the opening try two minutes into the match as France began as they meant to go on. A penalty kick right in front of the sticks was dispatched by Thomas Ramos before Louis Bielle-Biarry took control of the ball from a kick off Penaud, shuffled inside leaving two defenders on the floor, and was brought down for a try to send France further ahead.
Ramos then scored and Penaud dove over for his second try to secure a bonus point before half-time. Simone Ferrari also believed he had pulled some points back for Italy only for his try to be chalked off by a TMO review.
After the restart, France continued to dominate. Tries from Matthieu Jalibert, Peato Mauvake, and Yoram Moefana took them over the 50 mark before a second for Moefana put the icing on the cake. A consolation try for Italy’s Manuel Zuliani will not take the sting out of a second bruising defeat as the Azzurri exit the World Cup at the Pool stage.
Relive all the action as France host Italy in the Pool A decider plus get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips here:
