Floch, Jauzion and Rougerie lead France to 25-13 win over Italy in Six Nations

Fullback Anthony Floch, center Yannick Jauzion and winger Aurelien Rougerie scored a try each Sunday to help France beat Italy 25-13 and retain a slim chance of a third straight Six Nations title.

France is in second place with a 3-1 record and needs a big win over unbeaten Wales in Cardiff next week. A fifth straight victory for Wales would guarantee its second Grand Slam in 30 years.

Prop Martin Castrogiovanni crossed for Italy's try midway through the second half, while fullback Andrea Marcato and France scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili traded two penalties each to make it 13-6 to the French at halftime.

France also beat Scotland and Ireland and lost to England, while Italy has lost all four matches.

At Stade de France, France's forwards released the ball in the 13th to flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc. His high kick to the left was patted down by Julien Malzieu into Floch's hands for his first international try, which was converted for 7-0.

France got a second try in the 53rd, when Yachvili collected the ball out of the scrum 25 yards (meters) out and his clever kick over the defense bounced perfectly into Jauzion's path.

France struggled in the pack and Italy coach Nick Mallet's team punished weak defending in the 58th when Castrogiovanni powered over the line for a converted try to make it 18-13.

Center Damien Traille charged into Italy's defense in the 66th and fed Rougerie for his 21st international try.

Prop Fabien Barcella, flanker Ibrahim Diarra and center Yann David were the new players among nine changes to the starting France side that lost 24-13 to England on Feb. 23. Hooker Guillem Guirado and scrumhalf Julien Tomas came off the bench in the second half, bringing to 13 the number of rookies introduced by new coach Marc Lievremont in this Six Nations.

Meanwhile, Italy gave former captain Marco Bortolami his first start since the World Cup following injuries.

Winger Kaine Robertson and loosehead prop Andrea Lo Cicero also were recalled, and openside flanker Alessandro Zanni replaced Mauro Bergamasco, who was banned for 13 weeks for eye-gouging against Wales.