Infotainment Factory: 'Pathetic' call can't spoil France's World Cup party

LYON: Roared on by a vibrant home crowd, France confirmed their status as Rugby World Cup favourites and marched into the quarter-finals with a confident and convincing 60-7 win over Italy.

The thumping victory sealed top spot in Pool A for Les Bleus, overtaking the All Blacks who had outclassed Uruguay at the same stadium the night before.

English referee Karl Dickson was widely panned on social media for some of his decisions, particularly in denying Italy a first half try.

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But this was one way traffic regardless as France's stylish backline again purred behind a dominant forward pack.

Winger Damian Penaud continued his try-scoring tear with a double while Yoram Moefana came off the bench to grab a brace of his own.

Penaud has now dotted down in seven straight Tests and is now the leading try-scorer in the tournament with six, overtaking England's Henry Arundell, Scotland's Darcy Graham and New Zealand's Damian McKenzie (all five)

France and New Zealand will now watch Sunday's (AEDT) blockbuster Ireland vs Scotland clash in Paris to learn the identity of their quarter-final opponent.

France has never won a World Cup and has been beaten in three finals (1987, 1999 and 2011).

It is the first time they have topped their pool since 2003.

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"The first step is done," man of the match Gregory Alldritt said.

"We are going to enjoy the weekend because it was a tough game today. We will do our recovery and this weekend and then prepare for the quarter-final.

"I am happy with the team performance. It was a 23 player game today and I am happy for everyone."

Damian Penaud of France scores his team's fourth try.

Italy, meanwhile, have plenty to ponder after also being blasted 96-17 by New Zealand the week before.

"You just need to listen to the support they have got," coach Kieran Crowley said.

"They were too good. We gave away a lot of penalties early on and then we just didn't get any momentum because our breakdown work wasn't good enough. The interpretation sometimes left a bit to be desired but that's the way it was.

"They were just too physical, too powerful for us."

Former All Blacks fullback Crowley is now finished with Italy after not being offered a contract extension.

Ex-Argentina star Gonzalo Quesada will take the coaching reins.

Thomas Ramos of France scores his team's third try.

"These boys, they'd die for you," Crowley said.

"They've got a lot of pride. I just hope they start getting treated with a bit more respect after this. For the next World Cup cycle there will be a lot of players with 50 or 60 Test matches by then so that will be good."

France took less than two minutes to score the first of its eight tries in a hugely impressive performance.

The 60 points equalled their highest score against Italy from 1967 and achieved the greatest margin ever.

Only eight months ago in the Six Nations, France won 29-24.

Of course, Penaud got the first try, off his wing.

Following pick-and-goes from hooker Peato Mauvaka, flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert and fullback Thomas Ramos combined to send the right winger into the left corner.

After Ramos converted and added a penalty, Penaud turned provider with an unexpected cross-field kick for Louis Bielle-Biarrey to score in the left corner.

Jalibert and Penaud combined to send Ramos over for the third try, and brilliant improvisation from Jalibert saw him kick off balance to Penaud in the right corner for France's fourth try.

Penaud's brace took him past Vincent Clerc on France's all-time list to 35 tries.

Only the great Serge Blanco has more on 38.

Italy prop Simone Ferrari had a try disallowed after he was harshly penalised for a chest high tackle on Maxime Lucu — playing in place of injured captain Antoine Dupont — in the buildup.

France led 31-0 at halftime, and took only seven minutes in the second half to resume the try-fest.

Jalibert helped himself when he darted in from close range from flanker Charles Ollivon's pass, Mauvaka got try No.6, and Jalibert's looped pass put Moefana into the right corner.

At least the Italians sent off Crowley with a consolation try when flanker Manuel Zuliani got over the line with 10 minutes left.

But there was still time for Moefana to barrel over from another Jalibert pass. - with AP

France 60 (Damian Penaud 2, Yoram Moefana 2, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Thomas Ramos, Matthieu Jalibert, Peato Mauvaka tries; Ramos 6 conversions, penalty, Melvyn Jaminet conversion, penalty) Italy 7 (Manuel Zuliani try; Tommaso Allan conversion). HT: 31-0