France crushes Italy and sends warning to Ireland for their Six Nations showdown

ROME (AP) — France will face unbeaten Six Nations leader Ireland in a buoyant mood after thrashing Italy by a record-high 73-24 at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

France blew away its previous highest score against Italy of 60 in 1967 and 2023, and racked up its highest score in Six Nations rugby.

The French gave an all-business performance that netted 11 tries — the bonus-point fourth try came after 30 minutes.

Looking to rebound from the fumbling loss to England, France looked imperious, which will pump up the hype around the round-four showdown in Dublin in two weeks which will likely decide the fate of the Six Nations title, as their matchups in the previous three years have done.

France bombed at least half a dozen tries at a wet Twickenham two weeks ago, but the handling in Rome was silky and certain in ideal conditions with only 15 drops among 242 passes and a remarkable 28 offloads.

“We were able to keep the intensity for 80 minutes which is not easy against this Italy team, so we can be proud,” France captain Antoine Dupont said.

“When we had to score the tries (against England) we made mistakes. Today, it was better. It will be a huge game in Dublin.”

The result in Rome was somewhat surprising considering Italy's improvement and their 13-13 draw in Lille last year, but France made its intentions known in the first minute when a penalty from the first breakdown was kicked for a corner lineout. Fullback Leo Barre was held out, but he and France were not denied for long.

The game was competitive until halftime.

Italy actually scored the first try through midfielder Tommaso Menoncello off first phase from a scrum.

France replied when lock Mickael Guillard smashed his way through, despite an apparent Dupont knock on in the buildup.

Tommaso Allan kicked Italy ahead 10-7 but France dotted down twice in three minutes; hooker Peato Mauvaka was driven over then Dupont backed up wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Italy closed to within four when center Juan Ignacio Brex finished an Ange Capuozzo counterattack in the end-to-end action but France led 35-17 by halftime after flanker Paul Boudehent and Barre barged through for tries.

When No. 8 Gregory Alldritt began the second half by bashing his way over from a lineout ruck, and with Thomas Ramos booting 16 points, Italy comeback hopes were buried.

France made sure by sending on six forwards in the 48th minute, including flanker Anthony Jelonch for the first time since the 2023 World Cup. Taking a page from South Africa's “bomb squad,” coach Fabien Galthie's “brigade anti-bombes” version from his first-ever 7-1 bench ground down a tiring Italy for five more tries in the last half hour.

Dupont and Barre finished with two tries each, and Bielle-Biarrey racked up a try in a sixth consecutive test as Italy faded: 33 tackles were missed.

“They managed to exploit every little mistake we made, they really took everything,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro said.

Galthie got away with having only one reserve back — scrumhalf Maxime Lucu — and it's unlikely to be repeated against Ireland. Backs Damian Penaud, Mathieu Jalibert and the suspended Romain Ntamack will be back in contention.

However, Italy goes to England next hoping that injuries to prop Danilo Fischetti, flanker Sebastian Negri and sharpshooter Allan clear up.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

France's Mickael Guillard in action, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

France's Mickael Guillard and Italy's Simone Gesi vie for the ball, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

France's Leo Barre takes control of the ball, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey in action, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

France's Yoram Moefana, right, in action, during the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and France at the Olympic stadium, in Rome, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.

The strike was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses, with picket lines forming. The other affected hospitals are NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to New York State Nurses Association.

“After months of bargaining, management refused to make meaningful progress on core issues that nurses have been fighting for: safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses, and workplace violence protections,” the union said in a statement issued Monday. “Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits.”

The strike, which comes during a severe flu season, could potentially force the hospitals to transfer patients, cancel procedures or divert ambulances. It could also put a strain on city hospitals not involved in the contract dispute, as patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike.

The hospitals involved have been hiring temporary nurses to try and fill the labor gap during the walkout, and said in a statement during negotiations that they would “do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions.” Montefiore posted a message assuring patients that appointments would be kept.

“NYSNA’s leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job," Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese said Monday after the strike had started. "We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last.”

New York-Presbyterian accused the union of staging a strike to “create disruption,” but said in a statement that it has taken steps to ensure patients receive the care they need.

"We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment,” the statement said.

The work stoppage is occurring at multiple hospitals simultaneously, but each medical center is negotiating with the union independently. Several other hospitals across the city and in its suburbs reached deals in recent days to avert a possible strike.

The nurses’ demands vary by hospital, but the major issues include staffing levels and workplace safety. The union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads.

Nurses also want better security measures in the workplace, citing incidents like a an incident last week, when a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room and was then killed by police.

The union also wants limitations on hospitals’ use of artificial intelligence.

The nonprofit hospitals involved in the negotiations say they’ve been working to improve staffing levels, but say the union’s demands overall are too costly.

Nurses voted to authorize the strike last month.

Both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani had expressed concern about the possibility of the strike. As the strike deadline neared, Mamdani urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal that “both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.”

“Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable,” Mamdani said.

State Attorney General Letitia James voiced similar support, saying "nurses put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers healthy. They should never be forced to choose between their own safety, their patients’ well-being, and a fair contract.”

The last major nursing strike in the city was only three years ago, in 2023. That work stoppage, at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, was short, lasting three days. It resulted in a deal raising pay 19% over three years at those hospitals.

It also led to promised staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

FILE - A medical worker transports a patient at Mount Sinai Hospital, April 1, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)