| Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Sunday, 5 February Kick-off: 15:00 GMT |
| Protection: Watch highlights on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and on-line from 18:00 GMT; radio & textual content commentary on BBC Sport web site and app. |
France start the defence of their Six Nations title with a visit to Rome on Sunday to face an Italy aspect on the lookout for a primary dwelling win since March 2013.
Les Bleus are on a 13-match unbeaten run and are aiming to develop into the primary nation to win back-to-back Grand Slams because the event expanded in 2000.
The Italians have picked up the picket spoon in every of the previous seven campaigns however after their thrilling 22-21 win over Wales in Cardiff final yr, the Azzurri have their sights set on a better end.
Workforce information
Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi has didn’t shake off a knee downside and is changed by Harlequins’ Tommaso Allan. The again three is spearheaded by France-based full-back Ange Capuozzo, whereas second row Niccolo Cannone and his back-row brother Lorenzo each begin.
France hand a debut to Lyon wing Ethan Dumortier, with the versatile Yoram Moefana taking part in at inside centre alongside Gael Fickou.
The pack is as anticipated, with Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand and Uini Atonio making up a well-known entrance row, whereas Thibaud Flament begins within the second row with the returning Paul Willemse. Racing 92 scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec is about to make his debut from the bench.
Commentator’s notes
Andrew Cotter: For all of the progress that Italy have made underneath Kieran Crowley, highlighted by wins over Wales and Australia final yr, there’s nonetheless a gulf between these two sides.
The Azzurri are with out their first-choice fly-half Garbisi, in addition to winger Monty Ioane who has membership duties again in his native Australia. Full-back Capuozzo is actually price getting enthusiastic about, however for each one in every of him France have many, with the likes of Dupont, Ntamack, Fickou and Penaud, all prone to be attacking off the front-foot ball offered by a dominant pack.
Italy may be enhancing, however this must be a successful begin for the champions.
View from each camps
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley: “When you took a ballot proper now asking the place folks suppose groups are going to complete within the Six Nations, I might image Italy can be sixth.
“We’ll be the underdogs once more, which is okay. We’ll simply think about what we do.”
France head coach Fabien Galthie: “We’ve got left little to likelihood, we’re making ready for chaos and all of the doable situations.
“Italy are an impressive aspect, who’re reaping the rewards. They’re a elegant opponent. It’s a unprecedented problem.”
Line-ups
Italy: 15-Ange Capuozzo; 14-Pierre Bruno, 13-Juan Ignacio Brex, 12-Luca Morisi, 11-Tommaso Menoncello; 10-Tommaso Allan, 9-Stephen Varney; 1-Danilo Fischetti, 2-Giacomo Nicotera, 3-Simone Ferrari, 4-Niccolo Cannone, 5-Federico Ruzza, 6-Sebastian Negri, 7-Michele Lamaro (capt), 8-Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: 16-Luca Bigi, 17-Federico Zani, 18-Pietro Ceccarelli, 19-Edoardo Iachizzi, 20-Giovanni Pettinelli, 21-Manuel Zuliani, 22-Alessandro Fusco, 23-Edoardo Padovani.
France: 15-Thomas Ramos; 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Gael Fickou, 12-Yoram Moefana, 11-Ethan Dumortier; 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Antoine Dupont (capt); 1-Cyril Baille, 2-Julien Marchand, 3-Uini Atonio, 4-Thibaud Flament, 5-Paul Willemse, 6-Anthony Jelonch, 7-Charles Ollivon, 8-Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: 16-Gaetan Barlot, 17-Reda Wardi, 18-Sipili Falatea, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Thomas Lavault, 21-Sekou Macalou, 22-Nolann Le Garrec, 23-Matthieu Jalibert.
Match info
Head-to-head
- Italy have gained two of their previous 23 Six Nations fixtures with France, shedding the final 9 in a row.
- The Azzurri’s Six Nations victories over the Les Bleus each got here at dwelling, in 2011 and 2013.
Italy
- Italy ended a run of 36 successive Six Nations defeats after they beat Wales 22-21 in Cardiff – their final match of the 2022 event.
- Kieran Crowley’s aspect final registered a house Six Nations win in March 2013 after they beat Eire 22-15.
- Michele Lamaro accomplished 86 tackles within the 2022 event, 16 greater than some other participant.
France
- France accomplished their fourth Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022, the joint most of any nation together with Wales.
- Les Bleus are on a 13-game unbeaten run, the longest of their historical past, and Fabien Galthie’s crew gained all 10 of their Check matches final yr.
- The French had a 90% sort out success price in final yr’s competitors, the best of any nation.
Match officers
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Contact judges: Nic Berry (Australia) & Jordan Approach (Australia)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)