France vs Italy preview: What time does it start, what channel is it on, odds and where can I watch it?
A look ahead to the Six Nations fixture at the Stade de France
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Your support makes all the difference.The World Cup pool rivals meet again on more familiar ground with the clash of a new France coach against the out-going Italy coach, who faces his country of birth for the last time.
Big game for...
Guy Novès: As the man taking over the head coach role following the humiliating defeat against New Zealand, Novès has a lot to do to rescue the French national side. Particular pride will be resting on his shoulders as he is the only Six Nations head coach in charge of the side of his own nationality. Since stepping up from Toulouse, he has been viewed as both the saviour and the potential downfall of Les Bleus, so it will be interesting to see how he coaches his side.
Teams
France: M Medard (Toulouse); H Bonneval (Stade Francais), G Fickou (Toulouse), J Danty (Stade Francais), V Vakatawa (France Rugby Federation); J Plisson (Stade Francais), S Bezy (Toulouse); E Ben Arous (Racing 92), G Guirado (Toulon, capt), R Slimani (Stade Francais), P Jedrasiak (Clermont), Y Maestri (Toulouse), W Lauret (Racing 92), D Chouly (Clermont), L Picamoles (Toulouse).
Replacements: C Chat (Racing 92), U Atonio (La Rochelle), J Poirot (Bordeaux), A Flanquart (Stade Francais), Y Camara (Toulouse), M Machenaud (Racing 92), J Doussain (Toulouse), M Mermoz (Toulon).
Italy: D Odiete (Mogliano), L Sarto (Zebre), M Campagnaro (Exeter), G Garcia (Zebre), M Bellini (Padova), C Canna (Zebre), E Gori (Treviso), A Lovotti (Zebre), O Gega (Treviso), L Cittadini (Wasps), G Fabio Biagi (Zebre), M Fuser, F Minto, A Zanni (all Treviso), S Parisse (Stade Francais).
Replacements: D Giazzon, M Zanusso (both Treviso), M Castrogiovanni (Racing 92), V Bernabo, A Van Schalkwyk, G Palazzani, K Haimona (all Zebre), L McLean (Treviso).
Captain Comparison
Players: Guilhem Guirado Sergio Parisse
Positions: Hooker Number 8
Clubs: Toulon Stade Français
Caps (as captain): 38 (0) 114 (61)
Points scored: 10 68
Remember when...
Italy beat France on their own turf? In March 1997, Les Blues lost in Grenoble 32-40. The only two loses against the Italians since they joined the Five Nations in 2000 have both occurred in Rome in the 2011 and 2013 editions of the Six Nations. Sadly no footage could be found, so enjoy the 2013 highlights.
Best stat
156 v 61: France have scored 156 tries against Italy in 37 matches (34 wins, 3 losses) while Italy have scored 61 tries in 67 matches – although these figures include both France and France XV sides (4 wins, 1 draw, 62 losses).
Up and coming
Virimi Vakatawa: The Fijian born wing is officially registered as a France Sevens player. The 23-year-old started life with Racing 92 and scored 9 tries in 44 matches. In 2013, he became eligible to play for France and was released by Racing to take up a contract with the Sevens side. His selection by Novès is particularly unusual, as players are rarely selected from the Pro D2 to join the national side, so to select a Sevens player, who hasn't played XV's rugby for over two years, is a brave call to make.
Last three matches
France 32 (Slimani, Mas) v Italy 10 (Venditti) 2015 Rugby World Cup, September 2015.
Italy 0 v France 29 (Maestri, Bastareaud) 2015 Six Nations, March 2015.
France 30 (Picamoles, Fofana, Bonneval) v Italy 10 (Iannone) 2014 Six Nations, February 2014.
Form
France - LLWWWW
Italy - WLWLLL
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