Six Nations 2014: France v Italy - It will be a battle as France aim to halt Italian pack
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.France’s cornerstone prop Nicolas Mas expects a “complicated” scrummaging battle with Italy in Sunday’s Six Nations match in Paris.
The robust Montpellier front-rower caused problems for England last week as France edged to a 26-24 home victory. The 33-year-old will start against Italy this weekend in a side showing just three changes.
Dimitri Szarzewski starts at hooker, while Hugo Bonneval will make his debut in place of Maxime Médard on the wing. Yoann Maestri starts alongside captain Pascal Papé at lock. François Trinh-Duc, initially omitted from coach Philippe Saint-André’s squad altogether but back in because of injuries, takes a seat on the bench, with Antoine Burban ruled out.
Italy have never won in Paris, but have seen off the French twice in succession in Rome. And Mas has challenged his team-mates to avenge last season’s 23-18 defeat by Jacques Brunel’s men.
“The scrum is one area where they come together extremely well,” Mas said. “They have a pack that knows their roles perfectly. And they are very good players, including [Martin] Castrogiovanni and [Leonardo] Ghiraldini.
“They must work this area a lot, they love it, they excel in this, and their coach likes it too. I have bad memories from last year, of course; it was bad. I had not been sparkling.”
Italy gave Wales a fright before the hosts ground home 23-15 last weekend and Mas believes that performance serves to underline the battle facing the French.
“Against the Italians it is always complicated,” he said. “It would be pretentious to fall into the trap, to get ahead of ourselves. We must remain humble: we only imposed ourselves with three minutes to go against England.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments