France crushes Italy and sends warning to Ireland for their Six Nations showdown

ROME (AP) — France will face unbeaten Six Nations leader Ireland in a buoyant mood after thrashing Italy by a record-high 73-24 at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

France blew away its previous highest score against Italy of 60 in 1967 and 2023, and racked up its highest score in Six Nations rugby.

The French gave an all-business performance that netted 11 tries — the bonus-point fourth try came after 30 minutes.

Looking to rebound from the fumbling loss to England, France looked imperious, which will pump up the hype around the round-four showdown in Dublin in two weeks which will likely decide the fate of the Six Nations title, as their matchups in the previous three years have done.

France bombed at least half a dozen tries at a wet Twickenham two weeks ago, but the handling in Rome was silky and certain in ideal conditions with only 15 drops among 242 passes and a remarkable 28 offloads.

“We were able to keep the intensity for 80 minutes which is not easy against this Italy team, so we can be proud,” France captain Antoine Dupont said.

“When we had to score the tries (against England) we made mistakes. Today, it was better. It will be a huge game in Dublin.”

The result in Rome was somewhat surprising considering Italy's improvement and their 13-13 draw in Lille last year, but France made its intentions known in the first minute when a penalty from the first breakdown was kicked for a corner lineout. Fullback Leo Barre was held out, but he and France were not denied for long.

The game was competitive until halftime.

Italy actually scored the first try through midfielder Tommaso Menoncello off first phase from a scrum.

France replied when lock Mickael Guillard smashed his way through, despite an apparent Dupont knock on in the buildup.

Tommaso Allan kicked Italy ahead 10-7 but France dotted down twice in three minutes; hooker Peato Mauvaka was driven over then Dupont backed up wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Italy closed to within four when center Juan Ignacio Brex finished an Ange Capuozzo counterattack in the end-to-end action but France led 35-17 by halftime after flanker Paul Boudehent and Barre barged through for tries.

When No. 8 Gregory Alldritt began the second half by bashing his way over from a lineout ruck, and with Thomas Ramos booting 16 points, Italy comeback hopes were buried.

France made sure by sending on six forwards in the 48th minute, including flanker Anthony Jelonch for the first time since the 2023 World Cup. Taking a page from South Africa's “bomb squad,” coach Fabien Galthie's “brigade anti-bombes” version from his first-ever 7-1 bench ground down a tiring Italy for five more tries in the last half hour.

Dupont and Barre finished with two tries each, and Bielle-Biarrey racked up a try in a sixth consecutive test as Italy faded: 33 tackles were missed.

“They managed to exploit every little mistake we made, they really took everything,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro said.

Galthie got away with having only one reserve back — scrumhalf Maxime Lucu — and it's unlikely to be repeated against Ireland. Backs Damian Penaud, Mathieu Jalibert and the suspended Romain Ntamack will be back in contention.

However, Italy goes to England next hoping that injuries to prop Danilo Fischetti, flanker Sebastian Negri and sharpshooter Allan clear up.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

France's Mickael Guillard in action, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

France's Mickael Guillard and Italy's Simone Gesi vie for the ball, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

France's Leo Barre takes control of the ball, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey in action, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

France's Yoram Moefana, right, in action, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

A game between Angel City and the Utah Royals should not have continued after Savy King collapsed on the field and had to be hospitalized, the National Women’s Soccer League said Friday.

The league said it came to the conclusion after reviewing its protocols and listening to feedback from stakeholders. There were persistent questions this week about the league’s procedures.

A league statement expressed regret for allowing last Friday's match in Los Angeles to go on after the 20-year-old Angel City defender was carted off the field while shaken players and fans looked on.

“The health and well being of the entire NWSL community remains our top priority, and in any similar situation going forward the game should and would be abandoned," said the statement.

King underwent surgery on Tuesday after doctors discovered a heart abnormality. The team announced she is recovering and her prognosis is good.

The NWSL Players Association was among those that said the match should have been suspended after King's collapse in the 74th minute. The players' union issued a statement Friday saying it was grateful the league listened to the concerns.

“The league's acknowledgement that the game should have ended — and its commitment to adopting this protocol for the future, should it ever be needed — represents a meaningful step forward,” the NWSLPA said. “It's a change made possible by the strength and unity of our players. Player safety is not a slogan. It is a practice."

The NWSL said earlier this week that it was reviewing its protocols. The league ultimately makes the decision when it comes to suspending, canceling or postponing games.

NWSL rules for 2025 state that the league “recognizes that emergencies may arise which make the start or progression of a Game inadvisable or dangerous for participants and spectators. Certain event categories automatically trigger the League Office into an evaluation of whether delay or postponement is necessary.”

Angel City interim coach Sam Laity said Friday it had been a challenging week for the team, but he was grateful for the medical professionals who treated King and all those from around the league who reached out in support.

“I think everybody's very relieved to hear that Savy's surgery was successful and the outlook for the future is very positive,” he said. “And in terms of the game continuing, I agree with the statements that the league recently made, and they're working to ensure that this type of situation is dealt with in a different fashion moving forward.”

King was the second-overall pick in the 2024 NWSL draft by expansion Bay FC and played 18 games for the club. She was traded to Angel City in February and had started in all eight games for the team this season.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Houston Dash forward Michelle Alozie, left and Bay FC defender Savy King compete for possession of the ball during the first half of an NWSL soccer match, March 30, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)