Rugby-France stay in Six Nations charge with win over Italy

Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - France v Italy - Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France - February 22, 2026 France's Thibaud Flament in action with Italy's Niccolo Cannone REUTERS/Manon Cruz

VILLENEUVE-D'ASCQ, France, ⁠Feb 22 (Reuters) - France scored three ⁠tries in the opening 30 ‌minutes before going on to record a comfortable 33-8 victory over Italy on ​Sunday and keep up ⁠their winning run ⁠in this year’s Six Nations.

France lead ⁠the ‌standings with 15 points from second-placed Scotland on ⁠11 and are in a strong ​position ‌to retain the title. Italy remained ⁠in ​fifth place on five points.