Huget try catches Italy cold in their warm-up for England

FRANCE got their rugby World Cup preparations back on track with a powerful seven-try win at the Stade de France on Friday.

Les Bleus, in their final warm-up match before next month’s tournament in Japan, simply had too much power and pace for Conor O’Shea’s Italians despite being reduced temporarily to 13 players midway through the first half.

The French, whose previous two games were back-to-back encounters against Scotland – a home win followed by an away defeat – never looked back after winger Yoann Huget went over in the third minute after a superb break by centre Wesley Fofana.

France captain Jefferson Poirot said: “I think we reached our objectives. We still have things to do but I think we can take some spirit from this – we showed some good things.

“When we had two players off the field, we still managed to stay ahead.”

France lost No.8 Louis Picamoles to the sin-bin for infringing at a ruck after 18 minutes, which allowed Italy winger Mattia Bellini to cross after a quick penalty tap by Sergio Parisse, playing in his 140th international now behind only Richie McCaw (148) and Brian O’Driscoll (141) on the all-time list.

France’s Rabah Slimani was next in the sin bin only for Italy to lose a man of their own when Bellini impeded Huget during a kick-and-chase towards the Italian try line. That also produced a penalty try and France reached the break 19-7 up after hooker Camille Chat scored from a driving maul.

They eased away in the second period adding four more tries from half-back Antoine Dupont, lock Arthur Iturria, flanker Wenceslas Lauret and substitute full-back Thomas Ramos, the pick of them by Dupont who skipped through a series of tackles down the blindside.

Italy’s England-born flanker Jake Polledri powered over after regathering an attempted chip over the French defence. Bellini, meanwhile, added his second and his side’s third try in the closing stages.

Romain Ntamack kicked five conversions as France recorded their eighth win in a row over Italy.

O’Shea’s team, who complete their World Cup preparations by taking on England at St James’ Park in Newcastle on Friday, have now lost nine of their last 10 internationals, the win coming against World Cup minnows Russia.