6 Nations 2023

France begin the defence of their Six Nations title this Sunday when they take on underdogs Italy in their opening match of the 2023 event at the Stadio ...

Rugby fans in the UK can also tune into Sunday's match at the Stadio Olimpico via a livestream, with the game available to watch via ITVX. Their title defence will resume this weekend when they make the trip to Rome to take on underdogs Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. The French stole the show last year, winning all five games to clinch their first Six Nations title in 12 years.

Italy: 15. Ange Capuozzo, 14. Pierre Bruno, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Luca Morisi, 11. Tommaso Menoncello, 10. Tommaso Allan, 9. Stephen Varney; 1.

Crowley believes Italy need to be more “street smart” and Lamaro is eager that his side “stops conceding mistakes after a mistake” so they can “stay in the fight for 80 minutes”. Some of Italy’s back play in the autumn, with Capuozzo sweeping into the line, was exceptional. There is a faint chill in the breeze, but otherwise the conditions could not be more auspicious for a free-flowing game of Test match rugby. Tommaso Menoncello, who starts on the left wing against France was described by Paul Gustard, his former Benetton defence coach, as “built like a bull” yet “shredded and super-fast” with “huge endurance”. Georgia overturned the Azzurri in July, adding weight to the Lelos’ eagerness for Six Nations expansion. France, who begin the defence of their Six Nations title today, have not lost a match since 2021, while Italy have not beaten their border-sharing adversaries since 2013. Ramos lurks behind to scoop up the ball and make the try – but this goes for review too! Kieran Crowley, the Italy head coach, has warned that Capuozzo must contend with second-season syndrome in 2023. The lineout is taken well, and Allen tries to move forward, but within moments, they're turned over. After surging forward with confidence, France are poised for Penaud to side a sumptuous aerial pass to Dumortier on the left. Capuozzo struggles through the pack, and Italy tries for space down both wings, but France lock up defensively. But he comes off the better, slipping past him to the corner just in time to plant the ball by the overturned flag.

Will last season's grand slam winners France open their campaign with victory in Rome, or could Italy produce a shock? Join Lee Calvert.

Italy come back at them from the lineout and create a little gap for Capuozzo out wide, but the ball is slightly behind him and snaffled by Ramos. Dupont has a dart left off the back of a big French maul in the Italy half. Allan call for the tee and puts his side on the board. Some outstanding attacking patterns and handling from Italy follows a big maul drive, and France are scrambling all over the place in their own half. On another advantage, Italy are attacking on the France 22, and the intricacy of their attacking patterns is outstanding. The work it with several carries from the forward tight around the ruck, before the ball rolls loose and is regathered. Italy manage something resembling a reasonable exit from the kick-off, and France have their first attack of the half from the resulting lineout. Well, yes, in that he blew the whistle to award the penalties that gave Italy either territory or a chance to kick posts. The Azzuri pack catch and drive it and on the second shove they are this close to forcing the ball over the line but Ollivon illegally pulls the maul down. France have some decent possession of the first time in a while and from a maul on the right the fire it left into midfield. Fusco has added a bit more zip with his passing from the breakdown as Italy try to run it from their own half. Les Bleus had a chance to close out the game with a lineout in the Italy half, but the imprecision comes to the fore once more as they can’t claim their own throw.

Live updates from Sundays Round 1 2023 Six Nations clash between defending Grand Slam champions France and Italy from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (3pm ...

France are the reigning grand slam champions and begin their title defence with a trip to Rome to face a resurgent Italy.

“Down by white!” cries Matthew Carley - France have done it! An extraordinary game of rugby, and another significant feather in the cap of this rapidly developing Italian team. This competition is the best in the world and we are really under pressure. You doubt that Fabien Galthie will over-react, but he’ll be worried about how Italy were able to stress and strain his midfield defence. “They have really, really lifted their game, they’ve improved their gameplan, their discipline - it was a tough game. Each game is going to be a different challenge.” We are very confident for next week. F/T: Italy 24-29 France “We are improving every week. We had our chances - first half, a bit too many errors, we gave away 19 points off our mistakes. It’s those small margins we talk about. The Six Nations, eh?