France aims to advance towards a grand slam as they host Italy in Lille.
Les Bleus have established themselves as strong contenders for the Six Nations title, boasting decisive victories against Ireland and Wales to start the tournament.
However, they’ll need to be cautious of an improving Azzurri squad that has already secured a win over Scotland in this season.
Italy nearly triumphed in their last outing in France, with Paolo Garbisi missing a crucial kick late in a 13-13 draw at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in 2024.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is France vs Italy?
The match kicks off at 3:10 PM GMT on Sunday, February 22, at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.
How can I watch it?
In the United Kingdom, viewers can catch the match live on ITV1, with coverage starting from 2:20 PM GMT. A live stream will also be available on ITVX.
Team news
France is making changes to their second row, with Toulouse players Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou starting in place of Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard. Peato Mauvaka, Georges-Henri Colombe, and Pierre-Louis Barassi will be on the bench. Matthieu Jalibert was set to start but was ruled out late on Saturday, leading to Gael Drean joining the wing, Theo Attissogbe moving to full-back, and Thomas Ramos taking the No. 10 jersey.
Meanwhile, Italy welcomes back full-back Ange Capuozzo from injury, while Leonardo Marin remains Tommaso Menoncello’s midfield partner, continuing in the absence of Juan Ignacio Brex. The starting pack remains unchanged after solid performances in the tournament.
Line-ups
France XV: 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Dorian Aldegheri; 4 Thibaud Flament, 5 Emmanuel Meafou; 6 Francois Cros, 7 Oscar Jegou, 8 Anthony Jelonch; 9 Antoine Dupont (capt.), 10 Thomas Ramos; 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 12 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 13 Emilien Gailleton, 14 Gael Drean; 15 Theo Attissogbe.
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Charles Ollivon, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Lenni Nouchi; 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Pierre-Louis Barassi.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Michele Lamaro (capt.), 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Alessandro Fusco, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Leonardo Marin, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Ange Capuozzo.
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.