Five-time Heineken Champions Cup winners Stade Toulousain provided three of the try-scorers in France’s 29-24 Six Nations victory over Italy in Rome on Sunday .

Lock Thibaud Flament and full-back Thomas Ramos crossed for France as they opened up a 19-6 lead, while the versatile Ange Capuozzo touched down for Italy to launch a home comeback. Ramos also kicked nine points.

Flament powered over after only four minutes and Ramos followed on 18 minutes, with Lyon wing Ethan Dumortier France’s other try-scorer in their dazzling opening half hour.

Italy responded with a 31st-minute try from Capuozzo and three penalties from the boot of Harlequins fly-half Tommaso Allan to reduce the deficit to 19-14 at the interval.

Italy were then awarded a penalty try early in second half, before Allan added his fourth penalty of the contest to give Italy a two-point lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

However, Union Bordeaux-Bègles fly-half Matthieu Jalibert spared French blushes as he sprinted over for a 66th-minute try that Ramos converted to secure the victory.