France got their Six Nations title claim to a perfect start with a 50-10 bonus point victory on the Italian youth side in the tournament opener in Rome on Saturday.
The visitors ran into a 21-point lead before halftime after 2020 Championship player Antoine Dupont set up converted efforts from Dylan Cretin, Gael Fickou and Arthur Vincent.
The attack failed after the break while Brice Dulin and Dupont crossed the white-collar, and Teddy Thomas got the better of both sides of Luca Sperandio’s comfort effort.
The big win further solidified the title-winning credentials of Fabien Galthie’s side, who finished second last year, while the inexperience of an Italian team with 11 starters with less than 10 caps was hard-fought.
England host Scotland at Twickenham later on Saturday and Ireland visit Wales on Sunday in the other Round One matches.