Hosts France dominate Italy to reach Rugby World Cup quarter-finals

Penaud, 26, scored two tries and created a third with a deft chip as he moved to within three of France great Blanco's record of 38 tries for his country.

Victory ensured France topped Pool A with a perfect record of four wins from four and they will play one of Ireland, Scotland and South Africa in the last eight.

They will know their opponents after the Irish take on the Scots at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

This was not quite the unstoppable try-fest New Zealand inflicted on Italy a week ago in a 96-17 hammering, but there was nonetheless a gulf in class between two sides that had been separated only by five points in the Six Nations in February. 

Such was Penaud's brilliance, it was almost possible to forget that France captain and talisman Antoine Dupont was out injured with a fractured cheekbone, which had dominated the news in the build-up to this game.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Thomas Ramos, who scored 20 points, Matthieu Jalibert, Peato Mauvaka and Yoram Moefana with two also scored in this eight-try romp.

It took only two minutes for France to strike, as Les Bleus went through the phases and then quick hands sent the predatory Penaud over for his 34th France try.

That took him level with Vincent Clerc as France's second highest try-scorer.

Penaud then turned provider.

Having fluffed a grubber kick for Bielle-Biarrey to run onto, he soon adjusted his aim and sent a chip for the wing to gather and then jink inside and out to beat three defenders and score.

France were pummelling Italy up front and their backs were reaping the rewards of the space created, with Ramos next to scamper over in the corner.   

Italy tried to make a fist of it but after a searing break in their backs, Tommaso Allan spilled the