France rise to the top as Villiere hat-trick seals Six Nations bonus-point win over Italy

Winger Gabin Villiere ran in a hat-trick as favourites France began their Six Nations title bid with a thumping 37-10 bonus-point win over Italy at Stade de France on Sunday.

The Azzurri lost for a record-extending 33rd consecutive time in the tournament despite leading early in the first half.

Before kick-off, the 62,187 crowd at the Stade de France paid their respects to former France fly-half Guy Laporte, who died last month aged 69, with a round of applause.

One major absence from the stands was the hosts' coach Fabien Galthie as the former Test captain watched the game 40km away in the team hotel after testing positive for Covid-19.

The Azzurri were looking for a first Championship win since 2015 and their first ever in Paris and took a surprise lead when debutant Tommaso Menoncello gathered a kick to finish in the corner.

France struck back with Anthony Jelonch and Villiere tries and earned an eight-point lead into halftime.

Villiere ran through the Italian defence to cross again after the break before Damian Penaud added the bonus-point score, and Villiere dived over for his third.

"You're never alone in scoring tries, it's the work done beforehand that counts," Villiere told France Televisions.

"With the wind and the rain they put us under a lot of pressure but we remained calm.

"The score is there, the bonus point is there, we're not going to complain," he added.

"You could tell after 20 minutes we were lacking rugby together. Through the game I thought the boys did well," France manager Raphael Ibanez told ITV.

"Five tries and five points is good. Villiere is a warrior. He is a very good finisher. He is a good example for all of his team mates for his spirit."

France are level with Ireland on five points at the