Rampant Les Blues ran in 11 tries in a ruthless demolition job at the Stadio Olimpico to close round three on Sunday, bouncing back from a last-gasp defeat by England that ended their Grand Slam hopes and handed the title initiative to the defending back-to-back champions.

Italy felt the full force of a French backlash as Antoine Dupont orchestrated a 73-24 Guinness Six Nations victory in Rome.

France captain Antoine Dupont led his side to a 73-24 rout of hosts Italy as they ran in 11 tries in an action-packed Six Nations triumph on Sunday, bouncing back in style from their one-point loss to England in their last game a fortnight ago.

Antoine Dupont is already looking ahead to France's likely Six Nations decider with Ireland after his team ran in a record 11 tries in Sunday's crushing 73-24 win over Italy. Star scrum-half Dupont was key as France secured their biggest-ever win in the tournament,

France will face unbeaten Six Nations leader Ireland in a buoyant mood after thrashing Italy by a record-high 73-24 in Rome.

France score 11 tries to thrash Italy in a high-scoring contest to set up a potential Six Nations decider with Grand Slam-chasing Ireland.