Poitrenaud was man of the match as France thrashed Italy

Clement Poitrenaud admitted France will have to deal with the pressure of being favourites when they face England with a Grand Slam at stake on Saturday.

France hammered Italy 46-20 in the Six Nations on Sunday in Paris.

"We have to consider ourselves favourite now, we are hosting England in the final match for the Grand Slam," said the man of the match.

"We're the only unbeaten team, so we will have to carry that favourites tag, but we're in good shape right now."

Number eight Imanol Harinordoquy was also in fine form as France ran in six tries against the visitors.

"Today the big thing was to win so we are very, very happy," the Biarritz back rower told BBC Sport.

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"We know it is not easy to play against Italy and they showed how they can play in the second half, scoring two tries.

"But generally I think we did what we had to do to win the match and I think it was a great game to watch for the supporters."

Harinordoquy, 30, has been part of two French Grand Slam successes and he is keen to complete a personal hat-trick.

"Before the match against Italy we didn't speak about the Grand Slam, so I think today we will speak about beating the English team," he said.

"If we beat England it will be an extraordinary thing, to win the Grand Slam."

Italy were well beaten by an on-song French side and the visitors' coach, Nick Mallett, expects Les Bleus to now go on to wrap up the Grand Slam.

"I don't think they'll score tries that easily against England because we missed very simple tackles," he said.

"But the French are a very good team, the best in this championship. They will win the Grand Slam."

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