France 24 Italy 5

France rediscovered their flair against Italy to win their second Plate final in three years in the World Rugby Classic at North Field, National Sports Centre, on Saturday night.

The Les Bleus had laboured to a very un-French-like 22-0 victory against Canada in the semi-finals on Thursday night, but returned to form against Italy with a more free-flowing performance, full of their trademark attacking élan.

In fairness to France, their decision to sacrifice beauty for brawn against Canada was a conscious one: a ploy to expose a perceived chink in their opponent’s armour.

Against Italy, however, France were able to return to their more expansive best, opening the scoring after Michel Marfaing, the centre, with Sebastian Bozzi missing the conversion.

On 26 minutes Patrick Caumont, the full back, added a second with Bozzi making no mistake with a much easier kick.

Soon after the interval France notched their third try when Sebastian Roques crashed over the line, with Bozzi adding his second convection.

With ten minutes remaining, Elvis Vermeulen, the France flanker, burst through the Italy defence to score his side’s fourth try, with Bozzi converting to make it 24-5.

Italy did manage to register a try through wing Marco Stanojevic on 38 minutes, although Fabio Ongaro, the hooker, missed the kick.

Bozzi, the France prop, said that he was satisfied that his team had been able to playing some exciting rugby en route to victory.

“It was a good performance and we played the conditions very well,” Bozzi said.

“We had the win against us in the first half and did well to keep the ball.

“In the second half we played with more of the French flair, which was can when we want.

“We put in a good performance and we are so, so happy.”