France demonstrated their strength in depth as they cruised to a 36-5 victory over Italy to set up a play-off final with England in the Autumn Nations Cup.
On the night that they remembered Christophe Dominici, who died at the age of 48 this week, France looked to a new generation as a side featuring 13 changes made light work of the Italians.
The visitors did briefly lead, going 5-3 up when Carlo Canna ran in a 24th-minute try, but they were Italy’s only points of the night.
The #AutumnNationsCup finalists are confirmed! @EnglandRugby ??????? v @FranceRugby ??
?Twickenham, 06/12, KO 14:00 GMT#ENGvFRA pic.twitter.com/q7fxKGb8Nx
— Autumn Nations Cup ? (@autumnnations) November 28, 2020
Jonathan Danty got his first France try in the 35th minute after a strong scrum, but the full onslaught was reserved for the second half.
Gavin Villiere scored on debut with a 55th-minute try before two of the more experienced players on show, Baptiste Serin and Teddy Thomas, scored two minutes apart to put the game beyond Italy.
England eventually make it 7?? wins in a row#AutumnNationsCup #WALvENG ??????????????https://t.co/0KUL90yzdi
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 28, 2020
Sekou Macalou – back in the side for the first time since 2017 – then rounded things off with an 80th-minute try as France moved back to the top of Pool B, bound for the final on December 6.
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