France start their Six Nations marketing campaign in opposition to Italy in one of many largest years of their historical past forward of the World Cup.
The French are on a collision course with Ireland, the world’s No 1 aspect, with the journey to Dublin a mouthwatering prospect.
But to start with Les Bleus should maintain enterprise in Italy and present their skilled edge, to not point out including a bonus level. The Irish did all of that in Cardiff to spoil Warren Gatland’s return.
Here’s all the pieces it is advisable to know in regards to the sport in Rome.
When is Italy vs France?
The final sport of spherical one within the Six Nations 2023 takes place at 3pm GMT on Sunday 5 February within the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.
Where can I watch it?
Italy vs France is accessible to look at within the UK on free-to-air channel ITV1 and protection begins at 2:15pm.
You can watch the stay stream on the ITVX app or ITV’s web site, whereas we’ll have you ever coated right here too with the stay weblog and textual content commentary.
What is the group information?
France should cope with out centre Jonathan Danty, who’s dominated out for the complete marketing campaign with a knee damage.
And there may be extra unhealthy information with ahead Cameron Woki coping with a hand fracture.
Les Bleus may even be with out: Gabin Villiere, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Pierre Bourgarit, Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent, Killian Geraci and Florian Verhaeghe.
But lock Paul Willemse returns from damage and Lyon’s Ethan Dumortier injects contemporary blood into the aspect and can make his debut.
Thomas Ramos is chosen at full-back over Melvyn Jaminet, who isn’t concerned in any respect.
Coach Fabien Galthie’s authentic coaching squad has loads of new faces, with the uncapped Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Emilien Gailleton, Paul Boudehent, Romain Buros and Julien Delbouis, scrum-halves Leo Coly and Nolann Le Garrec all becoming a member of Dumortier as uncapped choices.
Fly-half Paolo Garbisi may very well be again in rivalry after a knee drawback, whereas Harlequins’ Tommaso Allan begins.
The Azzurri should contend with out the injured Monty Ioane, Toa Halafihi, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Leonardo Marin and David Sisi.
While the uncapped quartet of Matteo Nocera, Luca Rizzoli, Mirco Spagnolo and Marco Manfredi may very well be given probabilities to impress.
Italy vs France beginning line-ups
Italy XV: Capuozzo; Bruno, Brex, Morisi, Menoncello; Allan, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (C), L Cannone
Replacements: Bigi, Zani, Ceccarelli, Iachizzi, Pettinelli, Zuliani, Fusco, Padovani
France XV: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (C); Baille, Marchand, Atonio; Flament, Willemse; Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt
Replacements: Barlot, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Lavault, Macalou, Le Garrec, Jalibert
