Five-try France seal Six Nations win over Italy after Gabin Villiere hat-trick

02/06/2022

France 's Six Nations fizzed into life on Sunday when the pre-tournament favourites came from behind to finish a 37-10 win over Italy.

The Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy will remain in France for a ninth consecutive year after Fabien Galthie's overcame the first hurdle in their search for a first Six Nations title since 2010.

It wasn't always the confident cruise to the line many expected, however, as Azzurri debutant Tommaso Menoncello pegged the Parisian hosts back with the first try of the afternoon.

Those first-half frustrations ultimately passed as the floodgates gradually eased open, with Anthony Jelonch, hat-trick hero Gabin Villiere and Damian Penaud each on the score sheet.

Full-back Melvyn Jaminet's early penalty provided the game's only points in the opening 15 minutes, pulling possession in their favour to suggest a first home try would be prompt.

Les Bleus—who were in fact 'Les Blancs' for the day in their white kit—were silenced when 19-year-old Menoncello was found by Paolo Garbisi in the corner with no markers to speak of.

The Azzurri spent much of the opening 20 minutes penned in their own half, but Garbisi's pinpoint kick to Menoncello saw the teenager dot down and stun the hosts early, albeit after a check from the TMO.

Their lead lasted all of eight minutes before Toulouse terror Jelonch intercepted a horribly under-thrown pass from Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Varney deep in Italian territory to run in almost unopposed.

Garbisi and Jaminet exchanged another set of penalties before France kicked a penalty to touch with three seconds left in the half, a decision that paid dividends as Villiere slid in to widen the gap with his first try before half-time.

The Toulon talent repeated the trick on 49 minutes after surging onto a popped pass from Gregory Alldritt following his break down the left, with the influence of Shaun Edwards felt in the build-up.

France's defence coach would appear to have shared some coarse words with the hosts as they gave a more impassioned account of themselves in the second half, though they were still lacking in end product.

It wasn't until the 68th minute that Antoine Dupont and Penaud embarked on a two-man mission down the right wing, with the latter gliding over for the ninth try in his last 12 Test appearances.

Villiere's penchant for scoring close to the whistle persisted as he also completed the French rout with a last-gasp score with the clock in the red, giving Galthie something to think about when Teddy Thomas is fit.

Montpellier lock Paul Willemse lauded his team-mate's three-try haul in his post-match comments and told ITV: "I can't imagine, scoring three tries in an international game is amazing, so I'm really happy for him."

Asked about the performance in general, South Africa-born Willemse said France were "quite happy with the result," though he conceded the hosts have "a few things we need to sort out."

Italy have little time to lick their wounds before hosting England next Sunday (Feb. 13) in their first home outing of this championship, with both teams still in search of their opening wins.

That's after Eddie Jones' side were disappointed in a 20-17 defeat to Scotland on the competition's opening day, and Italy can only hope to further compound their misery.

France, meanwhile, will host Ireland next Saturday (February 12) in what already looks like an early shoot-out to decide this year's champion.

FRANCE- Tries: Jelonch, Villiere 3, Penaud. Cons: Jaminet 2, Ntamack. Pens: Jaminet 2.

ITALY- Tries: Menoncello. Cons: Garbisi. Pens: Garbisi.

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