Galthie praises France lock Meafou and defence

Meafou played the entire 80 minutes alongside second-row partner Thibaud Flament and also scored France's second try. Wary of Italy's forward power, Galthie had brought his engine room hulks Meafou and Flament back into the team in place of the more mobile Mickael Guillard and Charles Ollivon, who had started in the 36-14 victory over Ireland and 54-12 trouncing of Wales. With France's scrum under pressure throughout the match, Galthie left on both locks for the entire match and introduced Ollivon and Guillard into the back row.