Six Nations: England should endure ache with a purpose to develop, Borthwick says after Scotland loss
France are aiming to defend the Six Nations title that they gained in such fashion with final 12 months’s grand slam and begin their bid once they journey to Rome to face a resurgent Italy this afternoon.
It guarantees to be an enormous 12 months for Les Bleus, who will host the World Cup in September, and beneath head coach Fabien Galthie are one of many favourites each then and now. Their fiercest competitors for each comes within the form of the No 1 ranked aspect on the earth: Ireland, whose bonus-point victory over Wales within the opener in Cardiff on Saturday makes subsequent week’s contest in Dublin a tantalising prospect.
However, they will’t overlook Italy – who lastly ended their embarrassing 36-match dropping streak within the Six Nations final 12 months with an emotional victory over Wales, because the heroics of younger celebrity Ange Capuozzo arrange Edoardo Padovani for a late game-winning attempt that may go down within the event’s historical past. Kieran Crowley’s aspect adopted that up with a first-ever victory over Australia within the autumn and are a youthful group, clearly on the up.
France additionally bumped into controversy this week as they have been visited in coaching camp by former French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte, who was handed a two-year suspended jail sentence for corruption in December. Les Bleus common supervisor Raphael Ibanez defined the choice: “Our mission is a purely sporting one. Last night we invited Bernard because France organising the World Cup is thanks to him. And that’s where the deep motivation of our players comes from.”
Follow all of the motion from Italy vs France beneath:
TEAM NEWS: France line-up
An unbeaten 2022 offers option to an important 2023 for France, with a defence of their Grand Slam crown and a house World Cup to return later within the 12 months. Like counterpart Kieran Crowley, Fabien Galthie is shorn of a handful of influential figures, with Cameron Woki and Jonathan Danty leaving sizeable schematic holes within the second row and centres respectively.
Gabin Villiere is again forward of schedule however not fairly able to return to motion simply but, which grants a debut for Ethan Dumortier on the left wing. The versatile Yoram Moefana wears 12 whereas Thomas Ramos will get the nod forward of Toulouse teammate Melvyn Jaminet at full again.
The type of Cyril Baille will likely be a slight concern for Galthie, however his first-choice entrance row stays intact after a tremendous event 12 months in the past. Thibaud Flament takes Woki’s spot at loosehead lock and France even have six forwards amongst their replacements on which they will name – although do all the things Sekou Macalou doubles as helpful wing cowl. Uber gifted 20-year-old scrum half Nolan Le Garrec is one other probably debutant.
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.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 February 2023 13:33
What TV channel is Italy vs France on?
France look to kick off a historic 12 months for Les Bleus forward of the World Cup once they journey to face Italy within the Six Nations opener.
The French aspect have been visited by former federation president Bernard Laporte earlier than the sport.
The transfer was controversial after Laporte was handed a two-year suspended jail sentence for corruption in December.
France’s common supervisor Raphael Ibanez defined the choice: “Our mission is a purely sporting one. Last night we invited Bernard, because France organising the World Cup is thanks to him. And that’s where the deep motivation of our players comes from. The staff – it’s him, too.”
Here’s all the things it’s worthwhile to know concerning the recreation in Rome:
Luke Baker5 February 2023 13:20
Six Nations 2023: Italy vs France
Welcome to The Independent’s stay protection of Italy vs France – the ultimate match of Round 1 of the 2023 Six Nations.
France are aiming to defend the Six Nations title that they gained in such fashion with final 12 months’s grand slam and begin their bid once they journey to Rome to face a resurgent Italy this afternoon.
It guarantees to be an enormous 12 months for Les Bleus, who will host the World Cup in September, and beneath head coach Fabien Galthie are one of many favourites each then and now. Their fiercest competitors for each comes within the form of the No 1 ranked aspect on the earth: Ireland, whose bonus-point victory over Wales within the opener in Cardiff on Saturday makes subsequent week’s contest in Dublin a tantalising prospect.
However, they will’t overlook Italy – who lastly ended their embarrassing 36-match dropping streak within the Six Nations final 12 months with an emotional victory over Wales, because the heroics of younger celebrity Ange Capuozzo arrange Edoardo Padovani for a late game-winning attempt that may go down within the event’s historical past. Kieran Crowley’s aspect adopted that up with a first-ever victory over Australia within the autumn and are a youthful group, clearly on the up.
We’ll deliver you all of the stay protection.
Luke Baker5 February 2023 13:09
