Italy v France

Crucially, Italy finally snapped a 36-game losing streak that had dragged on since 2015 in their match of the championship last year. That Ange Capuozzo break ...

Coverage starts at 2.15pm for the 3pm kick-off. “We believe that the journey is far from over. Having said that, France are still blessed with a plethora of quality across the park and in all likelihood will have too much for their European rivals. Federico Ruzza packs down alongside the elder Cannone, Niccolò, in the engine room. Danilo Fischetti and Simone Ferrari are the props either side of hooker Giacomo Nicotera. Crucially, Italy finally snapped a 36-game losing streak that had dragged on since 2015 in their match of the championship last year. He is joined by full-back Thomas Ramos and Damian Penaud in the back three. Kieran Crowley said: “We have worked well in these two weeks. Antoine Dupont captains the side from scrum-half and will renew his partnership with Toulouse colleague Romain Ntamack who is outside him at No 10. - France won the Grand Slam in last year’s Guinness Six Nations and have won their opening match of the Championship in each of their last four campaigns as reigning champions; no side has ever completed back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations, with Les Bleus the last team to achieve that feat in the Five Nations (1997 & 1998). Luca Morisi and Juan Ignacio Brex make up the centre partnership. - Italy won their last match of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations (22-21 v Wales)after losing 36 in a row previously, however, they haven’t won at home in the competition since March 2013 (22-15 v Ireland) and have won back-to-back games just twice previously.

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.