Round Three’s Six Nations action will come to a conclusion at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday when Italy and France resume hostilities in what should be an entertaining encounter.
Italy are one of the most improved teams in the global game and after impressive performances in their previous encounters against Scotland and Wales in this year’s championship, they will be highly motivated to get the better of their more fancied opponents this weekend.
Under the guidance of head coach Gonzalo Quesada, who took charge of the team ahead of last year’s Six Nations, Italy have become a competitive unit as they currently occupy 10th position in World Rugby’s official rankings.
With Quesada calling the shots, the Azzurri avoided the wooden spoon for the first time since 2016, finishing in fifth position on the 2024 Six Nations table after notching deserved away victories over the Scots and Welsh.
Italy also clinched a 13-13 draw against Les Bleus in the corresponding fixture in Lille which meant they racked up 11 points from their five encounters – seven more than eventual wooden spoonists Wales and just one adrift of fourth placed Scotland.
That boosted the Azzurri’s confidence as they continued to deliver competitive performances during the rest of 2024 and it was a similar story in those previous Six Nations clashes against Scotland and Wales this year.
In their opener against Scotland at Murrayfield, Italy fought back to draw level at 19-19 before the hosts pulled away and eventually sealed a 31-19 victory.
Despite that loss, they bounced back with a 22-15 triumph over hapless Wales in Rome and that result was a momentous one for the Italians as it was the first time that they secured back-to-back victories over any opposition in the Six Nations and they will be hoping to build on that result against France.
However, things will not be easy as Les Bleus will have a point to prove after they suffered a narrow 26-25 defeat against England in their previous match at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
France came into the Six Nations as pre-tournament favourites – along with defending champions Ireland – and head coach Fabien Galthie and his troops can ill afford another slip up.
Les Bleus made an impressive start to the competition when they cruised to a 43-0 victory over Wales in the championship’s opening match and they were expected to follow it up with another positive result against England, who had been struggling against Tier One opposition of late.
However, France were not at their best as they delivered an error strewn performance and paid the ultimate price when England secured the result in the game’s closing stages courtesy of a converted Elliot Daly try.
That means Galthie’s charges will be determined to get their campaign back on track and don’t be surprised if there is a backlash against their opponents in Rome.
Where the game will be won
While both these teams have given the ball some air and shown a willingness to attack, that style of play has resulted in mixed rewards as both teams head into this encounter with a victory and a defeat to show for their efforts after two matches played. That could see the sides being more circumspect in their attacking approach with territorial kicking dominating proceedings.
The forward exchanges will also be critical and whoever gains the upper hand in the scrums and lineouts should have half the job done. However, discipline will also be crucial which means the ability to keep the penalty count low could pave the way to victory. Also, whoever makes the least mistakes – especially unforced errors in the opponents’ territory – could prove to be a deciding factor in this match.
Last time they met
What they said
After their triumph over Wales, Italy’s next objective is to build on that result and hooker Giacomo Nicotera knows that a win over Les Bleus will be a big statement in this year’s Six Nations, although he expects a tough challenge on Sunday.
“We can’t say ‘we’ve beaten Wales, that’s it.’ The objective is to beat a team that is better than Wales,” he told the Six Nations’ official website. “Last year was great, the best Six Nations Italy has had, and we want to improve on it.
“France created lots of opportunities against England but wasted a lot of chances especially in the first half. From the first whistle they will test our physicality and our ability to control the match.”
Players to watch
While the likes of Paolo Garbisi and Ange Capuozzo will be crucial for the Azzurri, as they will be expected to lead their charge on attack, another player who will be important to the home side’s cause is experienced full-back Tommaso Allan, who comes into this weekend’s action as the leading points-scorer after two rounds. The 31-year-old has been accurate off the kicking tee against Scotland and Wales and will be expected to keep the scoreboard ticking if Italy want to cause an upset against Les Bleus.
Meanwhile, this game will be a momentous occasion for the Azzurri’s experienced forward duo of Danilo Fischetti and Niccolo Cannone, who will both make their 50th appearances for their country. Both made their international debuts in 2020 but have cemented their place in Italy’s matchday squad in recent years with solid performances at the coalface and will hoping to celebrate their special occasion with a positive result against Le Bleus.
With first choice fly-half Romain Ntamack suspended and his replacement against England, Matthieu Jalibert, dropped, Thomas Ramos will wear the number 10 jersey for France in this encounter. Ramos is no stranger to the position as he has regularly played there for his country and at club level for Toulouse. There will obviously be plenty of pressure on him but he is a cool customer who will be expected to lead the way on attack while also keeping the scoreboard ticking with his goal-kicking which is usually very accurate.
Another player who will play an important part for the visitors is livewire hooker Peato Mauvaka, who will be expected to provide the spark to Les Bleus’ forward onslaught. The 28-year-old is an outstanding ball carrier but also has a high work-rate on defence and will be hoping to make a positive impact either side of the ball. Mauvaka is also solid in the execution of his core duties and if he delivers the goods in that department, it should help his team in their bid to take the spoils in this clash.
Meanwhile, France head coach Galthie has gone nuclear with his changes as he backs the Springboks’ infamous 7-1 split on his bench. That means that scrum-half Maxime Lucu will be the only backline player amongst the replacements and it will be interesting to see how he fits into the grander scheme of things. Les Bleus supporters will be hoping that their starting backline do not suffer any serious injuries as it could throw a spanner into the works and Lucu could find himself playing out of position which could affect the end result.
Main head-to-head
There are several mouth-watering battles set to take place across the park but in Lorenzo Cannone and Gregory Alldritt Italy and France have two excellent number eights who will be influential for their respective sides. Cannone is a player who has caught the eye with splendid all-round performances in their recent hit-outs. He has shone as a ball carrier, on defence and at the breakdowns – facets of play which are also strengths in Alldritt’s arsenal. Alldritt seldom plays poorly for his club (La Rochelle) and country but knows that he faces a formidable opponent in Cannone and whoever comes out on top in this battle should also finish on the winning side.
Prediction
Although Italy will put up a brave fight in their backyard, Les Bleus will have too much class for them and bounce back in style against their hosts to reignite their title hopes. France to win by 16 points.
Previous results
2024: The teams drew 13-13 in Lille
2023: France won 60-7 in Lyon
2023: France won 29-24 in Rome
2022: France won 37-10 in Paris
2021: France won 50-10 in Rome
2020: France won 36-5 in Paris
2019: France won 47-19 in Paris
2019: France won 25-14 in Rome
The teams
Italy: 15 Tommaso Allan, 14 Ange Capuozzo, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Joshua Zilocchi, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Ross Vintcent, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Jacopo Trulla
France: 15 Leo Barré, 14 Théo Attissogbe, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Oscar Jegou, 21 Alexandre Roumat, 22 Anthony Jelonch, 23 Maxime Lucu
Date: Sunday, February 23
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 15:15 local (14:15 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Sam Grove-White (SRU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/italy-v-france-preview-les-bleus-to-bounce-back-in-style-against-the-azzurri-to-keep-six-nations-title-hopes-alive
