France 33-8 Italy result: Les Bleus march towards Six Nations title with third win on the bounce

France strengthened their grand slam aspirations with a 33-8 win over Italy, securing a bonus point victory as they move four points ahead of Scotland in the Six Nations table.

It means that their visit to Murrayfield could confirm another title should they leave their with a bonus point win.

France rarely seemed to move out of third gear for almost the entirety of the match in Lille.

It took only three minutes for star winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey to make his mark, launching himself down the wing to touch down a Antoine Dupont kick that eluded the Italian backline.

Emmanuel Meafou scored the second and Thomas Ramos twisted and turned away from the grasps of Louis Lynagh for the third.

At 19-0 the damage had been done. Italy did well to regroup and put eight points on the board but once the hosts had a lead of that strength, it was game over.

It was a game which showed that, even if Fabien Galthie does not like it, France can win games playing far from their best. The strength of their pack and physicality in contact is on a different level and few teams, if any, could overcome a 19-point deficit against this Les Bleus side.

Ange Ca­puoz­zo managed to score Italy's only try of the game and, shortly before 40 minutes, Paolo Garbisi added three points. But that was it. France kept Gonzalo Quesada's team scoreless for the second half and by the time the 70th minute and a Lynagh yellow card came around, Italy were exhausted.

Gael Drean strolled in with ease for his debut try from a Ramos cross-field kick and Emilien Gailleton scored their fifth try four minutes from time.

Galthie's side have a two-week break before a pivotal trip to Murrayfield where they can tie up the championship.

It will likely be their biggest test of the competition so far having already hosted Ireland. They welcome England to Paris on the final weekend. A trip to Murrayfield will be a dangerous trial and Finn Russell and co will relish scuppering plans of a French grand slam.

Italy sought to finish with a try but France swallow their carries before shoving them into touch.

That's three wins on the bounce for Italy and they really do look primed for a Grand Slam now.

The scoreline won't reflect Italy's efforts but France have just made shown their class and dynamism in the last 10 minutes.

Italy gave so much defensively for 70 minutes and with a man down, the space is opening up for France.

Gailleton scores this time as France whip it quick in the face of Italy's try line and they just don't have the numbers to defend.

Big applause as Dupont leaves the field after a tremendous shift.

Baptiste Serin is on, who can be just as dangerous when he wants to be.

They go to the lineout and maul from the penalty, and a quick shove sees the ball moved to Ramos, who chips a cross-field kick to debutant Drean, who is unmarked on the wing and strides in for a debut try.

In Ben Keyser's words, Ramos is playing from an armchair.

That seals it for France almost surely.

Ah that may be the dagger. Louis Lynagh is sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on that probably could have been easily avoided. Silly error that really puts Italy under pressure in the final 10 minutes.

Italy are getting the better of the scrum but their lineout is faltering and it's hurting them massively as France are pinching their throws.

AHH France spill it. Brau-Boirie is the culprit. A try felt inevitable for France here but no points at all.

Italy manage to calmly exit from the scrum but only a touch further than the 22.

Mauvaka overthrows and Ruzza collects off the ground. Big break for Italy.

Points are inevitable for France here but Italy are managing to fight under immense pressure.

The French forwards are making huge carries and Mauvaka starts a big series of phases with a carry from the maul.

Ruzza manages to snatch the ball only for Dupont to snatch it back, and Italy concede a penalty in their eagerness.

France are beginning to win the kicking battle, and Fusco kicks it out on the full for Italian, gifting France a lineout.

France are just containing the Italians in their own half and they just can't get out.

The pace of this half is so quick. Italy take a quick lineout and Lynagh boots the ball into a somewhat empty French backfield.

Capuozzo chases but France manage to hold and survive the Italian chase.

France have been under the cosh a little in the opening 10 minutes of this half but Italy aren't really threatening them yet.

Garbisi kicks into the French half and Attissogbe passes to Dupont, who explodes down the wing and moves it to a sprinting Bielle-Biarrey.

Menoncello manages runs back and hit Jegou before getting up to his feet and winning the turnover.

France steal an Italian lineout and the clearing kick hits the visitors back into their half.

A returning kick from Fusco and the subsequent chase forces a French knock on, but this time the hosts roar at the scrum and win a penalty.

It's a sloppy start as Attissogbe firstly makes a mess of the high ball, giving Italy a lineout.

It's another poor throw and France earn a scrum, only for Italy to win the scrum and kick into touch.

Ramos restarts and we're back underway. Italy were on the right side of momentum towards the end of the first, can they carry on here?

That's the opening 40 minutes wrapped up and France hold an eight-point lead.

The hosts rushed out of the gates with a three-try lead, but Italy have done immensely well to calm the game down and put eight points on the board.

But France will continue to carve Italy if the visitors are just as inaccurate in the second half.

France attack for the final play of the half and Ramos opens up Drean down the wing, and the winger is bundled into touch just short of the try line.

Italy enjoy a nice spell of possession halfway and France’s 22 without making too many inroads.

But they manage to win a penalty from the scrum, and Garbisi slots it this time to cut the lead to 19-8.

An inevitable French moment as Italy kick and chase into France's 22.

Ramos tries to shepherd it and pops a pass up to Dupont but it's all a mess, and Capuozzo emerges to put it down as the ball slips from the ruck.

Ramos may be a genius, but he's a mad one.

Disaster for Italy as an overthrown lineout bounces into Gailleton's hands, and the centre rips to the Italian 22 before whipping back inside to Ramos.

The 10 twists and turns and drags himself over the line despite the efforts of Lynagh to stop him.

He adds the extras from the touchline. Brutal. Impeccable.