France travel to face Italy as the Six Nations returns this weekend, desperate to bounce back quickly from their shock defeat by England.
After demolishing woeful Wales to nil on opening night, pre-tournament favourites Les Bleus handed huge initiative to historic three-peat chasing Ireland at Twickenham in round two, stunned by a last-gasp Elliot Daly try to lose 26-25 in a thriller.
Fabien Galthie’s side butchered numerous try-scoring chances during an unusually profligate and error-strewn performance against an England team on a torrid run of form against fellow Tier One nations, failing to get a grip on the wet conditions as they saw hopes of a Grand Slam disappear despite another try-scoring brace from lethal wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Such an unexpected loss has led to stern criticism back home, with many now questioning if Galthie has wasted a golden generation of French talent, with just one Six Nations title for France since 2010 and no success on the global stage.
With a massive trip to Dublin coming up, the pressure is now suddenly on as they head to Rome to face an Italy team who are on a high after following a disappointing round one defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield by inflicting a 14th successive Test defeat on wooden spoon holders Wales in another wet slugfest on home soil, prompting the premature end of Warren Gatland’s dismal second reign.
This is a fixture that France almost lost last year at home in what would have been a seismic upset, only for Paolo Garbisi’s injury-time penalty to bounce back off the post to spare French blushes in a 13-13 draw that saw Jonathan Danty red-carded.
Italy vs France date and venue
Italy vs France in the Six Nations takes place on Sunday February 23, 2025. The Stadio Olimpico in Rome hosts the match.
Italy vs France kick-off time
Sunday’s match gets underway at 3pm GMT, which is 4pm local time and in France.
How to watch Italy vs France
TV channel: Italy vs France is being shown live and free-to-air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 2:15pm GMT.
Live stream: The rugby contest can also be viewed live online via the ITVX website and app, which is free with a subscription.
Live blog: You can follow Sunday’s game as it happens with Standard Sport’s live blog.
Italy vs France team news
France have received a huge double boost with lock Thibaud Flament and centre Gael Fickou both added to the wider 42-man squad to prepare for Italy after missing the opening two rounds through injury.
Anthony Jelonch, Reda Wardi and Leo Barre are among the other players back in the fold, while props Dorian Aldegheri and Sipili Falatea have replaced Georges-Henri Colombe and Tevita Tatafu.
Lock Emmanuel Meafou has been struggling with illness, while fly-half Romain Ntamack is still suspended following his red card against Wales.
Italy made just one change to face the Welsh, with Niccolo Cannone replacing Harlequins’ Dino Lamb in the second row.
Lamb now has a knee injury and won’t face France, with wing Monty Ioane also missing with a knee problem of his own. Young Mirko Belloni has earned a call-up and prop Mirco Spagnolo is also back from a ban.
Italy vs France lineups
Both France head coach Fabien Galthie and Italy counterpart Gonzalo Quesada are expected to name their respective matchday squads on Friday. Check back in then to see the starting lineups in full.
Italy vs France head-to-head record and results
Had Garbisi’s last-gasp penalty not bobbled off the tee and then hit the post in agonising fashion in Lille last year, Italy would have celebrated a first-ever win in France and one of the biggest upsets in Six Nations history.
As it is, they still have not beaten Les Bleus since earning two victories in three years at home in the Six Nations between 2011-13. Their only win in this fixture before that was all the way back in 1997.
France were on a 14-match winning streak against Italy before drawing 12 months ago.
Italy wins: 3
France wins: 45
Draws: 1
Italy vs France prediction
Italy will be confident after their latest deserved win over lowly Wales that may well have guaranteed the latter a second successive wooden spoon, but you sense they could face a storm this weekend in the form of a wounded French side looking to reassert their title credentials fast.
Despite their glut of handling errors and botched scoring chances at Twickenham, they still should have beaten England and will be eager to decisively and swiftly banish memories of that blip ahead of a massive battle against Ireland in round four that could revitalise their championship hopes.
The Azzurri may be able to keep things close and tense early on, but we expect France to be ultra-physical and utilise their dazzling array of attacking threats to restore a ruthless edge and throw down the challenge to the champions heading to Dublin.
France to win, by 20 points.
Italy vs France odds
Italy to win: 11/1
France to win: 1/18
Draw: 45/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
