France v Italy LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction as France reach quarter-finals
France 60-7 Italy: Les Bleus reach the quarter-finals with their biggest ever win over Italy
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:
France 24 - 0 Italy
26 mins: Tommaso Allan is closed down by three French defenders and knocks the ball on after his run with Ange Capuozzo who initially gave him the pass. Allan looks to have spotted space but France don’t let him get very far. France have the scrum.
TRY! France 24- 0 Italy
21 mins: Matthieu Jalibert switches inside to Damian Penaud, before the ball pops up from the next pass to Gael Fickou for fullback Ramos to collect and dive over in the corner! He converts his own score.
France 17 - 0 Italy
17 mins: Louis Bielle-Biarrey looks to give the offload out wide but he’s nudged slightly into touch.
CONVERSION! France 17 - 0 Italy
14 mins: Ramos adds the conversion!
TRY! France 15 - 0 Italy
12 mins: Brilliant play from France, superbly finished by some outstanding footwork from young winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey who dodges three players before reaching the line! Sublime footwork in the corner for France’s second try. Italy have barely been in the match so far, France completely dominant in attack.
France 10 - 0 Italy
9 mins: Simone Ferrari penalised for being offside now, Jalibert goes to the corner.
PENALTY! France 10 - 0 Italy
6 mins: Italy are penalised for being offside and Ramos takes the opportunity to slot the 49 m kick straight down the middle. France have a 10-point lead in the first six minutes.
CONVERSION! France 7 - 0 Italy
3 mins: Ramos adds the two points!
TRY! France 5 - 0 Italy
2 mins: What a brilliant start for France! They keep possession and score an early try through Damian Penaud! The ball floats from Cameron Woki through the hands of Jalibert to the winger who scores in the corner. It’s his 13th the calendar year, and he breaks the record for the most tries scored in that period.
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