France notch up first win of campaign

France secured their first victory of the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations campaign, beating Italy 34-17 in Marseille.

Paul Gabrillagues, Hugo Bonneval and Mathieu Bastareaud scored the hosts’ three tries as they won for the first time in nine matches.

A first-half penalty try and a late score from Matteo Minozzi put Italy on the board but they rarely looked like mounting a serious challenge as the hosts dominated throughout.

France settled early nerves inside the Stade Velodrome when Gabrillagues scored his first international try in the corner in the sixth minute after a fruitful lineout maul.

Maxime Machenaud was unable to add the extras, sending his tricky conversion attempt just wide.

Italy were given a penalty three minutes later and, after opting to kick for touch, they drove over the line and referee Wayne Barnes awarded the visitors a penalty try for a collapsed maul.

France took an 11-7 into the second half.

A well-worked try gave France breathing space in the 60th minute as Bonneval went over after good work by Bastareaud and Grosso in the build-up.

After converting the try, Racing 92’s Machenaud then kicked two further penalties to put France 27-10 ahead before leaving the field as the hosts made a series of changes.

France scored another try in the 73rd minute when Bastareaud powered over to complete a good move which started with Marco Tauleigne’s break forward. Francois Trinh-Duc converted to send France 34-10 in front.

Italy were down but not out and they hit back with a late try through Matteo Minozzi in the 79th minute, with Carlo Canna adding the extras.

Picture: Getty. Hugo Bonneval scores for France in their win over Italy.