France set the standard

Forlani starts the rout (Photo: RBS Six Nations website)

Last season’s 17-12 defeat in Italy cost France a Grand Slam – and it has been something that has grated with Gaelle Mignot and her team ever since. “Revenge” was a word that appeared in almost every player interview prior to this opening match, and revenge is what they took with a wonderful all-round performance that dismissed arguably the best team Italy have ever fielded by six tries to zero.

A crowd of 6,771 – one of the largest ever paying crowd for a women’s Six Nations – had plenty to enjoy. Italy barely saw any ball in the first half, which took place almost entirely at their end. France started strongly with Safi N'Diaye and Coumba Diallo combining well to get in behind the Italian defence. Less than five minutes had gone when Les Bleues spread the ball quickly and Poublan found Montpellier teammate Billes for the first try of the game.

Ten minutes later it was the French pack in command after Pauline Rayssac used her height to steal the ball on an Italian lineout, launching an attack and drive that saw Audrey Forlani crash over for the second try.

Then, with the game only 23 minutes old, Italy had no answer for a perfect catch and drive from a lineout that saw Mignot cross the line for a third score, this time converted by Abadie, and France were 17-0 up. Abadie added penalty shortly afterwards taking the home team into the break 20-0 ahead.

Not quite every move ended in a score. Soon after the restart Billes nearly added a fourth try when, in an inspired piece of play, she broke from inside her own 22, kicked ahead but just failing to keep her following kick in play with the try-line begging.

However, France did not have to wait long. Referee Sara Cox’s patience quickly ran out as Italy tried to frustrate a five metre scrum in the far corner of the field, awarding a penalty try which Abadie converted making it 27-0.

Soon after the hour Forlani added her second try, bursting through a tiring Italian line to take France past thirty points.

Finally, Poublan finished another great move, passing out to Caroline Boujard on the wing before running round in support in time to pick up a pass deflected off an Italian hand, before finishing in the corner.

This was a performance that puts France firmly in the driving seat for this year’s championship. They will face tougher opposition - the game against Ireland next week will be crucial – but this was an excellent all-round performance. Once the early nerves were disposed of it was hard to find any faults in their game.  Abadie’s first couple of conversion chances were pulled wide, but after that the young fly-half was largely on target. The handling by the back-line was also impressive, but it is the pack that dominated. Forlani, Rayssac, Mignot and the inevitable Safi N’Diaye were hugely impressive and the rest of the Six Nations must find an answer to them if they are to stop France this season.

France : Billes – Boujard, Godiveau, Poublan, Delas – (o) Abadie, (m) Rivoalen – N’Diaye, Rayssac, Diallo – Forlani, Ferer – Duval, Mignot, Arricastre. Replacements: Sochat, Traore Dhia, Menager, Annery, Sansus, Imart, Bertrand, Carricaburu

Italy: 15 Manuela FURLAN, 14 Michela Sillari, 13 Maria Grazia CIOFFI, 12 Beatrice RIGONI, 11 Sofia STEFAN, 10 Veronica SCHIAVON, 9 Sara Barattin (Captain), 8 Elisa GIORDANO, 7 Michela ESTA, 6 Ilaria ARRIGHETI, 5 Alice TREVISAN, 4 Isabella Locatelli, 3 Lucia JHA, 2 Melissa BETTONI, 1 Elisa Cucchiella

Replacements: 16 Lucia CAMMARANO, 17 Gaia Giacomolli, 18 Diletta NICOLETTI, 19 Valentina RUZZA, 20 Elisa PILLOTTI , 21 Silvia F OLLI, 22 Paola Zangirolami, 23 Maria Magatti f