{"id":25036,"date":"2022-02-06T14:10:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T19:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25036"},"modified":"2022-02-07T09:12:15","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T14:12:15","slug":"villiere-scores-hat-trick-as-france-brush-aside-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25036","title":{"rendered":"Villiere Scores Hat-Trick As France Brush Aside Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gabin Villiere scored three tries for France in their Six Nations opener against Italy in Paris (Six Nations)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gabin Villiere\u2019s hat-trick helped France overcame a slow start to move to the top of the early Guinness Six Nations standings with a 37-10 victory over Italy in Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Italy looked more impressive than might be expected of a side that have now lost their last 33 Six Nations encounters, and France were guilty of too many errors in the early going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But after Villiere\u2019s try late in the first half gave the hosts breathing room at the break, they pulled clear in the second half for a bonus-point victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

France got on the board first through Melvyn Jaminet\u2019s early penalty, but Italy were making the most of some ill-discipline from the hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their reward came in the 17th minute when Paolo Garbisi kicked towards the corner and debutant Tommaso Menoncello grabbed the ball to cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That quietened the Paris crowd momentarily but France hit back eight minutes later as Anthony Jelonch intercepted a pass from Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Varney and raced 20 meters for the try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the two sides traded penalties and the lead, France struck again on the brink of half-time \u2013 swift passing through the middle left Jaminet and Villiere two on one, and Jaminet set up his team-mate before kicking the conversion to give the hosts an 18-10 lead at the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With breathing space, France looked much more assured when the teams re-emerged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jonathan Danty was stopped just short of the line two minutes into the second half, but it was only a temporary reprieve for Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five minutes later Gregory Alldritt fed Villiere who raced into the corner to give the hosts a 23-10 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bonus point was confirmed as the game moved into the final 10 minutes, with Damian Penaud exchanging passes with Antoine Dupont before touching down, with Jaminet adding the extras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there was just time for Villiere to complete his treble at the death, taking a short pass from Yoram Moefana to slide in and complete France\u2019s first Six Nations hat-trick since Vincent Clerc in 2008.<\/p>\n

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