Here’s our Italy Vs France preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Sunday’s continental clash in the Six Nations.
Italy Vs France Preview
It’s Home Nations weekend in the Six Nations, meaning Italy and France are facing off for bragging rights on the European mainland.
France have dominated the fixture historically, winning 45 of their 49 matches with Italy.
For a more detailed breakdown, check out our Italy Vs France stats article here.
The Italians have not beaten France since 2013, but came agonisingly close to a famous win in Paris last season.
A late try from Ange Capuozzo brought them level, but Paulo Garbisi missed a penalty to win the game with the final kick.
Both sides are one win from two in this year’s Six Nations. Italy lost to Scotland in round one before beating Wales.
France also beat Wales, winning 43-0 in Paris before losing to England last time out.
The best UK rugby betting sites have France as comfortable favourites on Sunday, though.
Les Bleus are currently at 1/11, with Italy 11/1 outsiders. A repeat of last year’s draw is at 50/1.
Italy Vs France Team News
Italy:
Il XV scelto dal CT Gonzalo #Quesada per l'esordio di #Italrugby nel @sixnationsrugby 2025 👇#ITAvFRA 🇮🇹🇫🇷
🗓️ Domenica 23 Febbraio
⏰ 16:00
🏟️ Stadio Olimpico di Roma
📺 @SkySport▪@RaiDue▪ @NOWTV_It▪ @RaiPlay pic.twitter.com/vPpUiXZYHI— Italrugby (@Federugby) February 21, 2025
Italy name a mostly unchanged side from their victory over Wales in round two.
Captain Michele Lamaro continues in the back row along with Sebastian Negri and Lorenzo Cannone.
Paolo Garbisi keeps the fly-half shirt, with Tommasso Allan staying at fullback.
In midfield, Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello will hope to maintain their excellent performances as a pairing.
Simone Gesi comes onto the wing in place of the injured Monty Ioane.
France:
🇫🇷 Les 23 joueurs qui défendront le maillot du #XVdeFrance dimanche à Rome 🐓 #ITAFRA #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/shthngKDcm
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 21, 2025
The French are boosted by the return of Toulouse lock Thibaud Flament, who makes his first appearance of the tournament after injury.
With Romain Ntamack still suspended, Thomas Ramos shifts to fly-half outside skipper Antoine Dupont.
This means young Leo Barre gets a start at fullback, with the 22-year-old in line for his seventh cap.
Damian Penaud drops out of the match day 23 completely after a lacklustre display against England.
He is replaced by Theo Attissogbe, who scored two tries in the opening night demolition of Wales in Paris.
Italy Vs France Confirmed Lineups
Italy:
Starting XV: 15 Tommaso Allan, 14 Ange Capuozzo, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Joshua Zilocchi, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Ross Vintcent, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Jacopo Trulla
France:
Starting XV: 15 Leo Barré, 14 Théo Attissogbe, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Oscar Jegou, 21 Alexandre Roumat, 22 Anthony Jelonch, 23 Maxime Lucu
Italy Vs France Prediction
Italy have been improving steadily in recent years. The Azzurri are not the pushovers they once were, and have pushed some top sides close – most notably France last year.
But Les Bleus will be determined to put in a big performance to make up for their defeat at Twickenham last time out.
We don’t expect it to be a hammering, but would be surprised if France don’t end up winning quite comfortably in the end.
Prediction: Italy 18-34 France
