Italians are swamped in French 12-try rout

FRANCE continued their perfect U20s Six Nations start with a thumping win over Italy in Gueugnon.

Les Bleuets ran in nine tries against Scotland in round two, and were in blistering form once again, scoring 12, including a hattrick for Iban Etcheverry.

Gervais Cordin crossed after six minutes while flyhalf Louis Carbonel pulled the strings, both in his distribution and stepping.

Carbonel scored the second try and after 21 minutes they had the bonus point with Lucas Peyresblanques and Cordin going over again.

Antonin Berruyer, like Cordin from Grenoble, went over for the fourth, quickly followed by Adrien Seguret and then winger Etcheverry. There was even time for an eighth try before half-time, Seguret grabbing his second to make it 50-0.

Etcheverry added the ninth at the restart although Italy finally got on the scoreboard when Simone Cornelli picked off a pass and ran fully 60 metres to score.

They added another after a powerful rolling maul, this time it was Edoardo Iachizzi who emerged with the ball.

However they lost Niccolo Cannone to a yellow card and France took advantage with a dominant scrum, and then Julien Delbouis popping up to score.

And they were not done, with Etcheverry, despite an injured ankle, diving over in the corner for the 11th try. Still France kept coming, with replacement prop Jean-Baptiste Gros showing his pace to score.