FRANCE ran in nine tries in a convincing 51-20 win against Romania in Bucharest confirming their status as Europe's finest team this season.

Wingers David Venditti and Philippe Bernat-Salles and second half substitute Sebastian Viars each scored two tries in a one-sided victory.

Romania managed four successes in five home games against the French between 1974-82 but the present side is less accomplished.

France, who fly out to Australia for a more demanding series of games later this week, opened the scores in the fourth minute with an unconverted try by Venditti and from there the result was never in doubt.

This 44th match between the two sides was played in front of a sparse crowd of 2,000 in the central Bucharest Dinamo stadium and proved a convincing 34th triumph for the French.