France solidified its position as the favorite for the Six Nations title with a commanding 33-8 victory over Italy at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on March 3, 2024. This win marks France’s third consecutive victory in the tournament, keeping them on track for back-to-back championships.
The French team showcased their offensive prowess by scoring five tries, earning a crucial bonus point. With a total of 18 tries in the tournament so far, they are on pace to surpass last year’s record of 30 tries. Notable performances came from left winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, lock Emmanuel Meafou, and makeshift flyhalf Thomas Ramos, who each crossed the try line in the first half. Two of these tries were orchestrated by star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, who set the tone early in the match.
After establishing a 19-0 lead within the first 30 minutes, France’s momentum faltered as they grew overconfident. Italy capitalized on this, with fullback Ange Capuozzo scoring an opportunistic try, followed by a penalty from Paolo Garbisi that narrowed the gap to 19-8 at halftime.
Despite the pressure, France regained control in the second half. Ramos executed a strategic kick into the corner, allowing winger Gaël Dréan to score on his international debut. This try came during a moment of disadvantage for Italy, as they were effectively down to 13 players with Capuozzo still off the field for treatment. Center Emilien Gailleton added another try in the closing minutes, demonstrating strength and skill as he broke through the defense.
“It wasn’t our most complete performance. But I can tell you Italy really fought hard; we were not surprised by their intensity,” Ramos commented after the match. Coach Fabien Galthié acknowledged his team’s struggles with indiscipline and positioning, citing late changes to the lineup as a contributing factor. Matthieu Jalibert was ruled out just before the match due to a minor calf injury, leading to Ramos stepping in as flyhalf.
The match began with a flurry of activity, as Bielle-Biarrey scored within the first four minutes. Following an aerial challenge won by Théo Attissogbe, Dupont’s quick kick to the left corner allowed Bielle-Biarrey to seize the moment, marking his 24th try in just 25 tests. His record-setting performance from last year, where he scored eight tries, continues to impress.
With France’s defense faltering at times, Italy managed to score through Capuozzo after a lapse in concentration from Attissogbe. After a promising start, France found themselves under pressure due to careless mistakes, including a dropped pass from center Fabien Brau-Boirie that could have added to their tally.
As the tournament progresses, France will face off against Scotland away, while Italy prepares to host a struggling England side, both matches scheduled for March 7, 2024. France’s journey began with a significant win against Ireland, followed by an emphatic victory over Wales, indicating their dominance in the tournament thus far.
