ROME: France got their Six Nations title defence off to a winning start after squeezing past Italy 29-24 in Rome on Sunday.

Thibaud Flament, Thomas Ramos, debutant Ethan Dumortier and Matthieu Jalibert dotted down at the Stadio Olimpico to give France a tight bonus point victory which pulls them level on five points with Ireland and Scotland.

Italy lost as expected but acquitted themselves well against last year’s Grand Slam winners, with Ange Capuozzo’s score before half-time, a penalty try and 12 points from Tommaso Allan ensuring the hosts put up a decent fight.

Les Bleus looked set for an easy victory after scoring three of their four tries within the first 26 minutes but the World Cup favourites did not have it all their own way.

Italy needed to keep things tight early on but that was the precise opposite of what they did.

Stephen Varney’s badly timed box kick was charged down by big second row Flament, who had the presence of mind to bring the ball under control before it hit the deck and strolled in under the posts for a try that Ramos converted.

Tommaso Allan pulled points back for the hosts with a penalty but Italy almost handed France another try seconds later when Juan Ignacio Brex gave the ball away in his own 22, Charles Ollivon just failing to get the ball down.

However France were 12-3 ahead in the 19th minute, a lengthy TMO review eventually giving Ramos the try after officials ruled Damian Penaud’s challenge for the ball with Capuozzo legal.

Allan kicked another penalty to half the hosts’ deficit but France had a wonderful third try soon after, Romain Ntamack clipping a perfect kick over to the left flank where Dumortier burst in to dot down for a converted score.

France looked like they were set to run riot but Capuozzo squeezed into the corner for a fine try in the 32nd minute. And after a concerted spell of home pressure Allan kicked another penalty in overtime to leave the hosts only trailing 19-14 at the break.