France produced their best performance of the Women’s Six Nations to date as they overcame Italy 57-0 in Corsica to keep pace with England at the top of the table.
The two teams will meet in a fortnight in Grenoble, and with 15 points apiece so far, they have been the standout sides.
Jessy Trémoulière was outstanding, finishing with 22 points, while Cyrielle Banet grabbed two first-half tries for the free-flowing French.
Les Bleues had five tries by the interval and despite being kept quiet for much of the second period, eventually ran in three more to earn a record win over the Azzurre.
France dominated possession and territory early on and nearly had an early try when Caroline Drouin, in for her first start of the campaign, went over after a clever wraparound.
Michela Sillari did brilliantly to hold her up however and France had to settle for a five-metre scrum. The try did come though, some quick hands putting Banet over. Trémoulière added the touchline conversion.
The same combination doubled the French lead on the quarter hour. It came following a brilliant break by the French skipper Gaëlle Hermet. As the ball was spread wide, Banet had the strength to get over in the corner for her fourth try of the Championship. Trémoulière was again on target from the touchline to make it 14-0.
Having made two from the touchline, Trémoulière made no mistake from in front, 30 metres out, when Julie Duval got over the ball to earn a penalty.
Trémoulière is more than just a kicker though, and after a Julie Duval break, the full-back went through a gap and raced from halfway to score the third try. She converted her own score to make it 29-0.
Banet had been forced off through injury, but her replacement Marine Ménager made an immediate impact, scoring the bonus-point try five minutes from half-time after more great work by the French backs. Trémoulière converted once again.
Italy’s task was made harder just before half-time when Manuela Furlan was sent to the sin-bin for an intentional knock-on as France attacked once more.
And France took immediate advantage through hooker Agathe Sochat following a dominant rolling maul. Trémoulière completed a flawless first half from the kicking tee and France led 38-0 at half-time.
Having played the first half against the wind, Italy were improved in the second period and evened up the territory battle to some extent.
They were helped by the sin-binning of replacement prop Patricia Carricaburu for stopping the Azzurre from playing a quick tap.
But even with the extra player, Italy could not find a way through the French defence in a much tighter second half.
The first score of the second half almost came nine minutes from time when Yanna Rivoalen put Audrey Forlani through a gap with a delightful reverse pass but it was just forward and the try was called back.
Instead it was Rivoalen who scored, set up by Forlani, to notch the sixth French try. Trémoulière converted again.
And France still had time for two more tries, a second for Ménager, followed by a score with the final play from Pauline Bourdon, with Trémoulière converting the second.
