Traille on the burst for France. (Getty Images)

By Mike Perez, PA Sport

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Imanol Harinordoquy was the star of the show as France comfortably saw off Italy in Paris to record their second win of the RBS Six Nations.

The big number eight scored two superb tries to light up what was otherwise an unspectacular encounter at the Stade de France.

Replacement Pepito Elhorga added a third try late on, but there was never any suggestion that France might emulate the try glut England enjoyed against the Italians last week.

Italy shipped 50 points to the world champions. But despite conceding the majority of possession and territory to the French, they refused to buckle and can take credit for their superb defence and never-say-die attitude.

France came into the match having seen off Ireland 35-17 last week - but they found the early going tough against the Italians.

Scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who had taken over the kicking duties from the injured Frederic Michalak, missed the chance to settle some nerves when he pulled a fifth-minute penalty short of the near post.

He made amends after 12 minutes, though, with another penalty and then converted the opening try of the match from Harinordoquy to give France their 10-0 half-time lead.

There was little to excite the crowd in the first quarter of the match, but the quality of Harinordoquy's score brought them to their feet.

There was still plenty of work to do when the back-rower received possession on the near touchline with two Italians bearing down on him.

But the France vice-captain showed remarkable poise to first sidestep winger Mirco Bergamasco and then great power and athleticism to hand-off Matteo Barbini and stretch over the try-line to touch down near the corner.

France, playing in an unfamiliar white kit, further extended their lead at the start of the second half when centre Damien Traille slotted home a penalty from near the halfway line to make it 13-0.

But just as it seemed that would be the catalyst for the erstwhile workmanlike France to step up a couple of gears, it actually sparked the Italians into action.

They had been completely anonymous as an attacking force in the first half. But with their first decent chance of the game, they came within inches of scoring a try.

Scrum-half Paul Griffen made a brilliant break and was denied a score only when he was dragged down just shy of the try-line.

Italy still had the platform for a score. But France held firm, and the chance was lost when an attempted kick to Azzurri winger Bergamasco just sailed into touch.

That proved to be the shock to the system France needed, and they set about trying to increase their slender if relatively comfortable lead.

Just three minutes later, they appeared to be celebrating a second try when Christophe Dominici raced away to score under the posts.

But Irish referee Alan Lewis saw that Dominici had not grounded the ball properly. After he consulted with the television official, the try was disallowed - much to the dismay of the 79,080 crowd.

The French need not have worried, though, because just after the hour mark Harinordoquy again proved why he is rated one of the world's best number eights when he scored his second try of the match.

Again he was stationed out on the wing when he collected possession, this time from second row Fabien Pelous.

Once again there was no easy run in. But Harinordoquy was not to be denied, shrugging off a couple of challenges before touching down in the corner.

Elissalde was back on kicking duty and he was successful once more from a difficult angle to make it 20-0.

Harinordoquy's try proved to be the beginning of the end for the valiant Italians, as in the closing stages France finally started to find gaps in the visitors' defence.

They had another try through replacement Jean-Jacques Crenca disallowed for crossing before Elhorga raced half the length of the pitch to score France's final try in the 71st minute.

Elissalde was unable to add the conversion this time.

France must now go on their travels, with their next match against Wales in Cardiff.

Italy, meanwhile, can look to build on their determined showing against France when they host Scotland at Rome's Stadio Flaminio next time out.

Teams

France: Brusque, Clerc, Jauzion, Traille, Dominici, Peyrelongue, Elissalde, Marconnet, Servat, De Villiers, Pelous, Pape, Betsen, Magne, Harinordoqui.

Replacements: Elhorga for Brusque (64), Yachvili for Elissalde (75), Crenca for Marconnet (69), Bru for Servat (49), Auradou for Pelous (78), Lievremont for Magne (78).

Not Used: Liebenberg.

Tries: Harinordoqui 2, Elhorga.

Cons: Elissalde 2.

Pens: Elissalde, Traille.

Italy: De Marigny, Bergamasco, Stoica, Barbini, D. Dallan, Wakarua, Griffen, Lo Cicero, Ongaro, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, Bortolami, De Rossi, Persico, Parisse.

Replacements: Mazzucato for Barbini (49), M. Dallan for D. Dallan (59), Festuccia for Ongaro (59), Perugini for Castrogiovanni (73), Checchinato for Dellape (54).

Not Used: Orlando, Picone.

Att: 80,000

Ref: Alan Lewis (Ireland).