France recorded their biggest-ever Six Nations victory as they destroyed a meek Italy 73-24 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Fabien Galthie's men crossed line a staggering 11 times to pummel the Azzurri in front of their own fans, as the irrepressible Antoine Dupont and Leo Barre both had two tries to their name.
Mickael Guillard, Peato Mauvaka, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Theo Attissogbe and Pierre-Louis Barassi also contributed to the annihilation of the Italians, but France just fell short of an all-time Six Nations record.
Les Bleus' emphatic win is now the second-biggest in the history of the competition, only behind England's 80-23 destruction of none other than Italy during the 2001 edition.
Having responded to their excruciating defeat to England in round two in perfect fashion, Galthie's men occupy second place in the standings behind reigning champions Ireland, whom they square up to in Dublin on March 8 in a colossal encounter.
That top-of-the-table clash comes a couple of hours before Wales take on Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium, while England - still in the title conversation - host a deflated Italy outfit at Twickenham a day later.
Ben Knapton
