Battle: Italy host France in the Six Nations at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (AFP via Getty Images)
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
TRY! Dupont adds another first-half score for France
TRY! Mauvaka adds to French lead
TRY! Guillard hits back quickly for France
TRY! Menoncello scores after Barre scored ruled out
Italy vs France lineups in full
Prediction: France to bounce back with strong win
TRY! Italy 17-28 France | Paul Boudehent 29′
15:37
29 mins: Honestly now, this is getting ridiculous.
TRY! Italy 17-21 France | Juan Ignacio Brex 27′
15:35 , George Flood
27 mins: Seriously lads, how about some defence?
Menoncello has already gone over, now centre partner Brex charges through.
Allan converts. I can barely keep up.
TRY! Italy 10-21 France | Antoine Dupont 24′
15:31 , George Flood
24 mins: It is absolutely raining French tries in Rome.
Sublime but so simple once more as the influential Bielle-Biarrey sets away superstar captain Dupont to touch down a third score already for Les Bleus.
Another conversion is made by Ramos and the French lead is quickly out to 11 points.
Really ominous stuff for Italy.
TRY! Italy 10-14 France | Peato Mauvaka 21′
15:30 , George Flood
21 mins: A third try of the afternoon already!
Italy’s defence is powerless to resist a well-organised rolling maul and I think it’s hooker Mauvaka who gets the ball down.
A tricky conversion is made by Ramos and the French are ahead by four after a breathless first quarter of this contest in Rome.
Italy 10-7 France
15:27 , George Flood
19 mins: Italy back under massive pressure here and now star centre Menoncello is down and receiving treatment.
We will have a delay in play.
PENALTY! Italy 10-7 France | Tommaso Allan 16′
15:25
16 mins: French flanker Boudehent is whistled for an off-the-ball hit and Italy have a penalty which Allan slots over to regain the lead.
But an injury blow for the Azzurri as loosehead Fischetti limps off early on his 50th cap.
On comes Spagnolo.
TRY! Italy 7-7 France | Mickael Guillard 13′
15:20
13 mins: The French weren’t behind for long!
They immediately find their way back to the Italian 22 and lock Guillard goes over from close range.
The try stands after a check on a potential knock on from Dupont, who had dropped the ball at the base of the ruck but it went backwards.
Ramos converts and we’re level in Rome.
TRY! Italy 7-0 France | Tommaso Menoncello 11′
15:16 , George Flood
11 mins: Italy make the most of that reprieve!
Superb stuff between one of the best centre partnerships in the world in Brex and Menoncello, who bursts through to touch down.
Allan adds the extras and Italy lead early on in Rome.
Italy 0-0 France
15:15 , George Flood
10 mins: NO TRY!
That was clearly forward from Ramos to Attissogbe and it’s ruled out.
A reprieve for Italy.
Italy 0-0 France
15:15 , George Flood
10 mins: Scintillating attacking rugby from France as Ramos fires out to Attissogbe, who puts boot to ball down the right flank.
He ends up teeing up full-back Barre, who saunters through in style for the first try of the day to compound Italy’s misery at missing that early penalty.
But hang on, the officials want to check a possible forward pass in the build-up there…
Italy 0-0 France
15:12
8 mins: Italy escape and have a good little spell of possession, leading to a penalty eventually after Alldritt is pinged for being offside.
Captain Lamaro points to the posts looking for an early three points, but Allan’s effort is hooked wide to the right.
0-0 it remains.
Italy 0-0 France
15:08 , George Flood
4 mins: Italy’s defence scramble well again on the far side after the break from Moefana.
Italy with the put-in at a key scrum five metres out from their own try line.
A couple of tedious resets follow.
Italy 0-0 France
15:06 , George Flood
3 mins: France’s early momentum is briefly halted as Barre loses possession after a tackle from Niccolo Cannone.
Garbisi clears with the boot, but the white shirts are quickly pouring forward once more and again set up camp deep inside that Italian 22.
The Italy defence under siege in the opening minutes in Rome.
Italy 0-0 France
15:04 , George Flood
1 mins: France wasting no time at all with lock Guillard winning an early turnover penalty that is quickly boomed into touch for a lineout deep in the Italy 22.
Atonio – who is starting after that injury scare in the warm-up – now among the carriers as Les Bleus power closer and closer to the try line.
Italy vs France
15:03 , George Flood
Sergio Parisse delivers the match ball to the middle with his children after receiving a guard of honour and a standing ovation.
Italy in blue this afternoon, with France in their change white strips.
Here we go…
Italy vs France
15:00
Rousing stuff as always and brilliant noise for the Italian anthem.
Kick-off is imminent.
England’s Karl Dickson is the referee today, assisted by Craig Evans and Eoghan Cross.
Ben Whitehouse is on TMO duty.
14:55
Forwards Niccolo Cannone and Danilo Fischetti – who made their senior Italy debuts together back in 2020 – walk out ahead of their team-mates to soak up the applause of the crowd on the occasion of their 50th international caps.
The sun is shining and classical music blaring as the rest of the players emerge at the Stadio Olimpico.
National anthems coming up, and these are two of the best.
La Marseillaise to be followed by Il Canto degli Italiani.
Uini Atonio injury concern for France
14:48 , George Flood
A bit of a worrying sight for France in the warm-up with imposing tighthead prop Uini Atonio down and receiving treatment on his leg.
We’ll see if he’s still fit to start or if Dorian Aldegheri will come in instead. Cyril Baille is the loosehead cover.
A start for Aldegheri would presumably see Georges-Henri Colombe move onto the bench.
14:41 , George Flood
Final preparations in Rome, where Italy will honour their legendary former captain Sergio Parisse this afternoon.
Their most-capped player of all time – who now coaches the forwards at Toulon in France – will walk out into the middle with his children before kick-off to deliver the match ball.
The iconic number eight is sure to get a brilliant reception.
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
14:30 , George Flood
As expected, scores of French fans have made the trip over to Rome this afternoon.
Thankfully for them, the weather is looking much brighter than it was a fortnight ago, when a bit of a slugfest against Wales was played out in the rain.
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
14:24
Here is that agonising moment 12 months ago that Paolo Garbisi’s rushed injury-time penalty fell off the tee and then crashed off the post to deny Italy a first-ever win over France on French soil…
France out to continue dominant record against Italy
14:11
Italy have only ever beaten France three times in total – all at home – and had lost to them 14 times in a row before that dramatic draw last year, shipping 60 points in their previous one-sided meeting during the pool stage of the 2023 World Cup.
The last Six Nations contest in Rome was a much closer affair, with Matthieu Jalibert’s late try clinching a thrilling come-from-behind 29-24 win for France, who had again been close to an Azzurri upset.
Italy beat France twice at home in three years between 2011-13, having waited since the pre-Six Nations 1995-97 FIRA Trophy to topple them again.
(AP)
Paolo Garbisi’s penalty agony against France
13:56
Italy’s starting fly-half Paolo Garbisi certainly won’t want any reminders of this fixture from 12 months ago, when his injury-time penalty attempt in Lille bobbled off the tee as he rushed to beat the shot clock and then smashed into the post in truly agonising fashion.
It meant that the Azzurri missed out on a first-ever victory in France and one of the biggest upsets in Six Nations history that would have seen them produce three wins in the 2024 edition.
Italy had hit back late on in the 13-13 draw as Garbisi converted an Ange Capuozzo score, with two penalties for each side after an early try from former France captain Charles Ollivon.
Les Bleus played the entire second half with 14 men after centre Jonathan Danty’s yellow card for a high tackle was upgraded to red during a bunker review.
(Getty Images)
Fabien Galthie reveals Damian Penaud talks after France axe
13:43
It remains to be seen how much of a future Matthieu Jailibert has for France under Fabien Galthie, having now been dropped after a brief and unimpressive one-game return that followed his leaving the squad in the autumn having not been selected to face the All Blacks.
He and Damian Penaud look set to play for Bordeaux against Clermont in the Top 14 tonight after both being released back to the club.
Addressing the surprise decision to drop star wing Penaud entirely for the trip to Rome, Galthie said this week: “I spent two hours with Damian on Tuesday at the end of the afternoon, talking, listening to him, sharing.
“We absolutely have to be in harmony even if I understand that it is never easy for a competitor, for a champion, to accept, to take in the decision.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Fabien Galthie explains controversial 7-1 France bench split
13:29 , George Flood
Fabien Galthie wasn’t giving too much away in terms of that much talked about and controversial 7-1 bench split so famously used by Rassie Erasmus and South Africa in the 2023 World Cup final against New Zealand in Paris, and on other occasions since then.
It rather suggests that total physicality across the full 80 minutes will be the primary French approach in Rome this afternoon, which should draw in defenders and tee up ample chances for their stylish finishers in talented young wing pair Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attissogbe.
It is also apparently designed to combat areas where France deem Italy to be the strongest.
“First of all, it’s tactical,” Galthie said. “I can’t go too much into the strategy and reveal it, but it’s to do with how we have analysed our opponent since Gonzalo Quesada took charge.
“We chose to test out a strategy to counter the key areas in which the Italians perform enormously well. That is to say their ground game.
“It’s true that it comes with a risk.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Italy vs France prediction
13:14 , George Flood
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 today 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 soundly 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 throughout with that bold 7-1 bench split 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.
(AFP via Getty Images)
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.
(Getty Images)
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.
(Getty Images)
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.
(AFP via Getty Images)