Women's Six Nations 2022: France 39-6 Italy

France opened their Women's Six Nations with a bonus point win over Italy.

The tries by Madoussou Fall and Emeline Gros helped Les Bleues to a 17-6 lead at half-time.

Italy was still in the game but tries from Lea Murie, Emilie Boulard, and Chloe Jacquet sealed the deal for France.

The title is expected to be decided by France and England on the final weekend.

France score late flurry after shaky start

France got off to a shaky start with no shortage of loose passes but eventually capitalised on Italian ill-discipline with aCaroline Drouin penalty.

After French defenders held the ball up, hooker Melissa Bettoni made it over the tryline, but Italy looked much slicker initially.

The hosts struggled with their line-outs but eventually managed to string phases together and Italy could not contain France's forwards from close range as lock Fall went over.

Despite numerous breaks in the middle of the field, the Azzurre couldn't claim any more from the first half.

France extended their lead through a Drouin penalty after the visitors were more spirited in the second half.

Replacement scrum-half Laure Sansus injected more pace into the hosts backline and a series of swift offloads helped Murie score.

Boulard timed her supporting run to perfection to nip through a gap in Italy's defence and cover half the pitch for a superb solo try and the bonus point.

Italy will prove to be a tough opponent in this year's tournament, while France will need to improve if they are to stop England from winning a fourth successive title.

Player of the match - Madoussou Fall

Line-ups

France includes: Murie, Filopon, Vernier, Castel, Drouin, Hermet, Gros, Sochat, Joyeux, Fall, Forlani, and so on.

There are replacements for Boulard, Sansus, and Feleu.

Italy has Furlan, Muzzo, D'Inca, Magatti, Rigoni, and Maris.

Vecchini, Stecca, Seye, Fedrighi, Frangipani, Barattin, Madia are replacements.