Mitchell scored a hat-trick in Paris

Drew Mitchell scored a quick-fire hat-trick as Australia thrashed France 59-16 at the Stade de France in Paris.

The tourists ran riot in the second half, scoring six tries in 31 minutes to embarrass the reigning Six Nations champions in front of their own fans.

Les Bleus had led 16-13 at the start of the second period, courtesy of Morgan Parra's third penalty.

But the hosts had no answer to the Wallabies' devastating second-half surge, scoring seven tries in total.

After Adam Ashley-Cooper's early score, the visitors' problems at the scrum were exposed when France were awarded a penalty try and duly moved into a 16-13 lead.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to France's annihilation here

However, tries from Benn Robinson and Will Genia in the 48th and 51st minutes put the Wallabies in control.

Mitchell then claimed a 10-minute hat-trick, before James O'Connor flew along his flank to score in the corner in the dying seconds, completing a personal haul of 29 points.

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