Six Nations: France Vs Italy Predictions, Team News, Betting Tips And Odds
France face Italy in the Six Nations. Get match details, wagering pointers, predictions and TV details for Sunday's match in Lille
France vs Italy date, start time & TV info
Date Sunday, February 22
Starts 3.10 pm.
Venue Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille.
Competition Six Nations.
TV ITV1
France beat Italy 73-24 in Rome last year and head into Sunday's meeting in Lille after beating Ireland 36-14 and Wales 52-12 in this year's Six Nations.
The Azzurri upset Scotland 18-15 and went close against Ireland, losing 20-13.
They nearly upset Les Bleus 2 years ago in Lille, drawing 13-13, but Fabien Galthie's team are looking frighteningly excellent right now and they can take another step towards a Grand Slam on Sunday.
France vs Italy betting suggestions & forecasts
Italy +27.
1pt Evs bet365
Both gamers to score a shot - Louis Bielle-Biarrey & Theo Attissogbe.
2pts 13-10 Hills
France vs Italy sneak peek
Can anybody stop France from winning this year's Six Nations? The ruling champs have been formidable, beating Ireland 36-14 and after that Wales 52-12, and can make it three wins in a row heading into the fallow week by beating Italy in Lille.
Reeling from a one-point loss to England, Les Bleus blasted the Azzurri 73-24 in Rome last year. However, Gonzalo Quesada's side will have better memories, albeit tinged with remorse, of the pair's 2024 meeting at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Seemingly battling with a hangover from their 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit, the French struggled throughout the tournament and almost lost to the Azzurri.
Fortune favoured them, with the ball falling off the tee as Paolo Garbisi prepared for a match-winning charge.
The fly-half's hurried effort struck the post, saving French blushes and robbing the Italians of a very first Six Nations away win over France.
Intriguingly, their only roadway success over their neighbours left from Paris when they won 40-32 in Grenoble in 1997.
After beating Scotland 18-15 and pressing Ireland in last Saturday's 20-13 defeat in Dublin, Italy are in a position to produce another huge performance.
They might well do that, however France were otherworldly sometimes versus Ireland and Wales and may feel they owe the fans in Lille after their poor proving in 2024.
This is a clash of styles, with French style meeting Italian market, albeit reinforced by Ange Capuozzo's go back to sprinkle some stardust behind the Azzurri's scrum.
Italy can get parity in the set-piece, but while they may struggle to contain the French attack, they suffice to remain within a 27-point handicap mark.
While they drew two years earlier, France beat Italy 60-7 in the previous year's World Cup and are really purring - they are usually offered at 4-7 for an 11th Grand Slam.
Matthieu Jalibert lastly takes a look at home in his country's number ten shirt, while wings Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey are already on three shots for the competition.
Both started and scored attempts in in 2015's meeting, and backing those 2 to be effective in a try-scoring double for the third week running makes lots of sense.
Six Nations standings after Week 2
Key stats for France vs Italy
France vs Italy team news and predicted line-ups
France
In the second row Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou change Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard, both of whom drop to the bench. On the bench Peato Mauvaka, Georges-Henri Colombe and Pierre-Louis Barassi come in for Maxime Lamothe, Regis Montagne and Noah Nene.
Starting line-up: 15. Thomas Ramos; 14. Theo Attissogbe, 13. Emilien Gailleton, 12. Fabien Brau-Boirie, 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey; 10. Matthieu Jalibert, 9. Antoine Dupont (c); 1. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Dorian Aldegheri; 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Emmanuel Meafou; 6. François Cros, 7. Oscar Jegou, 8. Anthony Jelonch.
Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Georges-Henri Colombe, 19. Charles Ollivon, 20. Mickaël Guillard, 21. Lenni Nouchi, 22. Baptiste Serin, 23. Pierre-Louis Barassi
Italy are without star centre Ignacio Brex. His place is taken by Lorenzo Pani, who uses the number 12 t-shirt, with Tommaso Menoncello moving out to the 13 jersey.
Starting line-up: 15 Ange Capuozzo; 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Leonardo Marin, 11 Monty Ioane; 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco; 1 Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Simone Ferrara, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Michele Lamaro (c), 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: 16 Pablo Dimcheff, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosue Zilocchi, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiase, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Paolo Odogwu.
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When is France vs Italy?
The Six Nations clash in between France and Italy kicks off at 3.10 pm GMT on Sunday, February 22.
Where is France vs Italy being played?
Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy is the venue for Sunday's match.
What is the match wagering for France vs Italy?
Italy are readily available at 20-1, with the draw 66-1. France are even-money providing 27 points away on the handicap.