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.
France burst into a 19-0 lead at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with tries from Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Emmanuel Meafou and Tomas Ramos to put them comfortably ahead before Ange Capuozzo dotted down for Italy to make it 19-8 at halftime.
Debutant winger Gael Drean and centre Emilien Gailleton added two more French tries in the second half.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed Osmond)
