Italy host France as Six Nations third-round weekend draws to an exciting close in Rome today. Les Bleus make the trip to the Stadio Olimpico desperate to bounce back quickly from their shock last-gasp defeat by England at Twickenham a fortnight ago that scuppered their latest Grand Slam hopes and made Ireland strong favourites to win a historic and unprecedented third successive title.
With a massive clash in Dublin coming up next and the defending champions having survived a surprise scare of their own against resurgent Wales yesterday, there is simply no more margin for error for Fabien Galthie’s wounded side, who will be eager to produce a statement victory this afternoon. However, Italy are no pushovers and deservedly beat Wales last time out to hasten the end of Warren Gatland’s dismal second reign having fought back admirably before losing to Scotland at Murrayfield on opening weekend.
The Azzurri almost pulled off a massive upset in this fixture in Lille 12 months ago, only for Paolo Garbisi’s last-gasp penalty attempt to agonisingly bobble off the tee and then hit the post in a thrilling 13-13 draw. Follow Italy vs France live below!
Italy vs France latest news
Kick-off time: 3pm GMT, Stadio Olimpico
How to watch: ITV
Italy team news: Gesi and Lucchesi start
France team news: No Penaud or Jalibert
Italy vs France lineups in full
Prediction: France to bounce back with strong win
Italy vs France lineups
13:11 , George Flood
Italy XV: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Gesi; P Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (c), L Cannone
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Zuliani, Vintcent, A Garbisi, Trulla
France XV: Barre; Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos, Dupont (c); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt
Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu
France team news: No Jalibert or Penaud in squad
13:06
The suddenly under-fire French boss Fabien Galthie has sprung a shock after the England defeat, with no Damian Penaud or Matthieu Jalibert even in the squad today.
Theo Attissogbe lines up opposite Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wing instead, while Thomas Ramos moves to fly-half as the fit-again Leo Barre takes his place at full-back.
Romain Ntamack is still suspended after his red card against Wales on opening night.
Thibaud Flament is back in a huge boost for France, partnering Mickael Guillard in a new-look second row with Emmanuel Meafou having been dealing with illness and Alexandre Roumat dropping to the bench.
Galthie has raised eyebrows with a Springbok-esque 7-1 bench split, with scrum-half Maxime Lucu the only back cover as he replaces Nolann Le Garrec.
Anthony Jelonch is among the replacements after injury, with promotions too for Dorian Aldegheri and Romain Taofifenua as Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou and Emilien Gailleton all drop out.
Italy team news: No Ioane as Gesi and Lucchesi come in
12:57 , George Flood
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has made two changes to the team that withstood a late fightback to deservedly beat lowly Wales 22-15 in rainy Rome a fortnight ago.
Australian-born wing Monty Ioane is a big miss with a knee injury, with Simone Gesi taking his place.
The other switch is at hooker, where Toulon’s Gianmarco Lucchesi is preferred to Giacomo Nicotera of Stade Francais.
Two-cap lock Riccardo Favretto moves onto the bench with Harlequins’ Dino Lamb injured, while props Giosue Zilocchi and Mirco Spagnolo are also among the replacements, the latter after a ban.
Danilo Fischetti and Niccolo Cannone will both earn their 50th Italy caps this afternoon.
How to watch Italy vs France
12:49 , George Flood
TV channel: Italy vs France is being shown live and free-to-air today in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 2:15pm GMT.
Live stream: The contest can also be viewed live online via the ITVX website and app, which is free with a subscription.
Italy vs France live
12:48 , George Flood
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Italy vs France in the Six Nations.
Les Bleus head to Rome today to close out a thrilling round three, knowing full well that they cannot afford any more slip-ups following their shock last-gasp defeat by England as they prepare to head to Dublin to face historic three-peat and Grand Slam-chasing Ireland next.
But they could have another stern test against an Italy side who deservedly beat Wales a fortnight ago to bring the early end of Warren Gatland’s woeful second reign and produced a battling comeback against Scotland before eventually losing at Murrayfield in round one.
Kick-off at the Stadio Olimpico is at 3pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, all the latest team news and lineups plus live updates.
