France rebounded from their crushing defeat by England last week to run in seven tries in an impressive 50-8 thrashing of Italy at the Stadio Flaminio.

The hosts were confirmed as the winners of the wooden spoon with their most comprehensive defeat of a dreadful Six Nations rugby campaign that has seen them concede 170 points in five matches and scoring only two tries.

For France Francois Trinh-Duc and Sebastien Chabal, the two primary French targets for criticism following the Twickenham debacle, were excellent.

However, it was winger Maxime Medard who took the man of the match honours with two tries.

"It was a much better match for us today (Saturday) than against England," confessed Medard.

"However, the England match is still not out of our memories but we hope that will only serve to teach us some lessons," added the back.

Italy coach Nick Mallett had said before the match that he was worried about a France reaction to last week's humiliation and it proved an accurate premonition as the visitors tore apart their hosts.

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