France preparing for Johnny Sexton to be fit for next weekend's trip to Dublin

BLUE WAVE: Arthur Vincent celebrates with his French team mates after scoring Les Bleus' third try in the 50-10 demolition of Italy in Rome. Picture: Paolo Bruno, Getty Images

Six Nations: Italy 10 France 50.

FRENCH talisman Antoine Dupont says Les Bleus won’t believe Ireland 10 Jonny Sexton is ruled out until such time as they run out on the pitch next Sunday in Dublin and he’s not there.

Dupont steered France to a facile 50-10 win in Rome Saturday and then sat back with his feet up - literally - and watched Ireland self-destruct in Cardiff.

Andy Farrell looks to have lost Peter O’Mahony and potentially Sexton and James Ryan for the French game, but Dupont countered: “Sexton has been a doubt for games quite a few times but he ends up being on the team sheet to crucify us when he can.

“We will prepare seriously all this week”

Captain Charles Ollivon has described Les Bleus' vist to Dublin next week as "capital" in determining their chances of winning the Six Nations.

France scored seven tries to start their campaign with a comprehensive 50-10 victory over Italy in Rome. Dylan Cretin, Gael Fickou, Arthur Vincent, Brice Dulin and Antoine Dupont crossed for Les Bleus before Teddy Thomas claimed a second-half double.

But Ollivon said they will have to go further, dig deeper to make it two wins from two against Andy Farrell's Ireland at the Aviva.

"We play this sport to win and to do that we have to retain concentration and consistency for 80 minutes. You cannot relax for five or ten minutes. We prepared very well in Nice, and against Ireland, we have to go further in the discipline, further in the conquest. We know the challenge will be very different next Sunday.

"It's up to us to be well focused, to work well, to go further in all sectors. This match is going to be crucial."

Outside-half Matthieu Jalibert kicked 15 points as Italy suffered a 28th consecutive Six Nations defeat. The Azzurri managed a late consolation try from Luca Sperandio, with Paolo Garbisi adding a conversion to his first-half penalty.

France opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Thomas' elusive running set up an attack which ended with flanker Cretin driving over for his first Test try.

Jalibert added the conversion and then kicked a 35-metre penalty to give France a 10-0 lead after 11 minutes.

Italy were adventurous in possession and built up a head of steam for Garbisi to reduce the deficit with a 20-metre penalty.

But the Azzurri's naivety was twice exposed by scrum-half Dupont, the player of the 2020 Six Nations tournament.

Dupont's clever 27th-minute chip allowed Fickou to claim the simplest of scores and Jalibert added the extras.

Three minutes later Dupont hacked on a loose ball and the bounce favoured winger Gabin Villiere to collect.

Dupont was on Villiere's shoulder to collect and he produced a superb pass under pressure to send Vincent over, with Jalibert converting again for a 24-3 lead.

Italy were given hope when Monty Ioane scampered over from Stephen Varney's blindside break but the try was disallowed, with the scrum-half's pass to the winger adjudged to be forward.

France claimed the bonus-point try in the 49th minute when Villiere kicked ahead for full-back Dulin to collect and Jalibert landed the touchline conversion.

Italy were slipping badly off tackles as tiredness took its toll and Thomas burst clear to find Dupont on his inside and he ran through unopposed.

Dupont returned the favour to set up Thomas two minutes later and Jalibert added a sixth conversion before Italy wing Sperandio broke down the right to give the Azzurri some cheer.

But Thomas had the final word seven minutes from time, shaking off a couple of defenders to score in the corner and bring up the half-century of points.

Reaction to follow.

ITALY: J Trulla, L Sperandio, M Zanon (C Canna 43), JI Brex, M Ioane, P Garbisi (C Canna 35-40), S Varney; C Traore (D Fischetti 31), L Bigi (G Lucchesi 5), M Riccioni (G Zilocchi 31), M Lazzaroni, D Sisi (N Cannone 60), S Negri (F Ruzza), J Meyer (M Mbanda 50, G Palazzani 75), M Lamaro.

FRANCE: B Dulin, T Thomas, A Vincent, G Fickou (D Penaud 58), G Villiere, M Jalibert (L Carbonel 58), A Dupont (B Serin 58); C Baille (JB Gros 52), J Marchand (P Bourgarit 45), M Haouas (D Aldegheri 52), B Le Roux, P Willemse (R Taofifenua 58), D Cretin, C Ollivon, G Alldritt (A Jelonch 58).

Referee: Matthew Carley (England).