France Vs Italy: Hosts sweep aside Azzurri in Lille as Grand Slam bid stays alive
France maintained their Grand Slam hopes with a 33-8 victory over Italy in round three of the 2026 Six Nations, a result that matters because it consolidates the home side’s momentum and keeps them on track in the tournament. The france vs italy encounter at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille produced a flurry of tries, a standout forward display and pointed reactions from Italy’s camp.
France Vs Italy at Stade Pierre-Mauroy
The match in Lille finished 33-8 in favour of France. The hosts scored at least five tries, including a bonus-point fourth try secured by Gael Drean on his Test debut and a fifth by Émilien Gailleton. The game featured an early reply from Italy when Ange Capuozzo crossed after a France error, but France extended their lead with scores from Emmanuel Meafou and fly-half Thomas Ramos in the first half.
Player of the match Emmanuel Meafou and first-half scorers
Emmanuel Meafou was named player of the match after a dominant contribution in the tight, which included heavy work in contact and ball-carrying. Thomas Ramos also went over in the first half, adding variety to France’s attack and helping build the platform for the hosts’ dominant second-half finish.
Théo Attissogbe and full player ratings
Detailed player assessments for France highlighted a number of individual contributions across the 15. Théo Attissogbe produced a game-high 20 carries for 64 metres and was rated 7. Gaël Dréan scored a try in the closing stages and was rated 7; Émilien Gailleton made a pivotal first-half break and finished with a try, rated 7. Fabien Brau-Boirie was credited with a mature performance, rating 7. Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored again — his eighth successive Six Nations game on the scoresheet — and was given a 7 for his attack and defensive work. Thomas Ramos was described as superb at fly-half, rated 7. Captain Antoine Dupont was rated 8 and said to have thrived in the chaos, providing moments that fuelled the French performance. Anthony Jelonch put in an intense shift with 11 carries, eight tackles and a turnover, earning an 8. Oscar Jegou won two turnovers, made nine tackles and carried seven times for 31 metres, rated 7. François Cros did solid unseen work and was rated 7. Emmanuel Meafou had 13 carries and 10 tackles with notable offloads, rated 8. Thibaud Flament returned strongly in the lineout and was rated 7.
Gael Drean’s Test debut and Louis Bielle-Biarrey run
Gael Drean’s try on Test debut secured the crucial fourth try that delivered a bonus point, with Émilien Gailleton adding a fifth for the hosts later in the match. Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s crossing for a try extended a personal streak to eight successive Six Nations games on the scoresheet, underscoring his consistency in the tournament.
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada and captain Michele Lamaro respond
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada, speaking to ITV, said the team had been 19-8 in the first half and remained 19-8 until the 70th minute, and he blamed three lost balls for how France scored their points. He added that second-half quality ball, particularly in lineouts, had been lacking and that errors late in the match left Italy reduced to 13 on the field rather than 15. Quesada accepted responsibility for a disciplinary issue and for other lapses that contributed to the outcome. Italy captain Michele Lamaro, also speaking to ITV, said the scoreboard was the truth of the game and praised France’s ability to take opportunities, especially in the first half. Lamaro said Italy had made first-half errors and then struggled to keep possession in the second half, noting missed chances in lineouts and the impact of a yellow card around the 70th minute.
Table position, discipline and Shaun Edwards’ assessment
The Azzurri remain fifth in the Six Nations table, behind England on points difference. France’s defensive coach Shaun Edwards, speaking to ITV, described the match as a real Test match and a tough game of rugby. The disciplinary and possession issues Italy experienced — including being reduced in numbers late on — were presented by their coach and captain as direct causes of the widening scoreline, while France’s capacity to convert opponent errors into points was the clear effect that sealed the home side’s emphatic victory and preserved their Grand Slam bid.
