France Dominates Italy 33-8 in Six Nations Clash, Bolstering Grand Slam Bid

France Secures Bonus-Point Victory in Lille

France continued their impressive run in the Six Nations Championship, defeating Italy with a comfortable 33-8 bonus-point victory on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The match, held at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, saw France score five tries, solidifying their lead in the tournament standings and maintaining their pursuit of a Grand Slam.

The French side, coached by Fabien Galthié, demonstrated their attacking prowess, though they faced a resilient Italian team that tested their resolve at various points during the contest.

First Half Sees French Dominance and Italian Response

France started strongly, with winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scoring a try in the third minute, marking his eighth consecutive Six Nations match with a score. Lock Emmanuel Meafou added another try, followed by a score from fly-half Thomas Ramos, pushing France to a 19-0 lead within the first 30 minutes.

Despite the early deficit, Italy fought back. Fullback Ange Capuozzo scored an opportunist try, and a penalty from Paolo Garbisi narrowed the gap, bringing the score to 19-8 at halftime.

Second Half Seals French Win and Grand Slam Hopes

The second half saw France consolidate their lead. After a period of stalemate, Italy's winger Louis Lynagh received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, which proved to be a turning point. Capitalizing on the numerical advantage, debutant winger Gaël Dréan scored France's bonus-point try, followed by a fifth try from centre Emilien Gailleton in the closing stages.

France's defense coach, Shaun Edwards, acknowledged the team 'had to dig deep' for the win. French coach Fabien Galthié noted, 'It was a tough match as expected, very tight, against an opponent who put us under pressure, especially in the rucks.'

Tournament Implications

This victory places France firmly at the top of the Six Nations standings with 15 points, four points clear of second-placed Scotland. The win keeps France on course for a potential Grand Slam, having won all three of their matches so far. Italy remains in fifth place with five points. France's next challenge will be an away fixture against Scotland in Round 4.