France v Italy - Teams and Prediction
SIX NATIONS, ROUND THREE: France coach Fabien Galthie insisted that Italy are capable of winning the Six Nations ahead of the pair’s meeting in Lille on Sunday.
Gonzalo Quesada’s team have impressed in the tournament this season, first edging out Scotland 18-15 in a drenched Rome before putting the wind up Ireland in Dublin a week ago, before eventually succumbing to a 13-20 defeat.
Only two years ago, Italy were denied a historic first-ever Six Nations win in France when Paolo Garbisi hit the post from a penalty with the last kick of a 13-13 draw in the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille.
A team that went on a record 33-match losing run in the Six Nations between 2016 and 2022 has rebounded impressively since, although four wins and a draw in their last 12 games in the tournament remains a modest return.
“In world rugby… there are two nations which are emerging. One began a little bit before Italy, that’s Argentina,” said Galthie.
“And now Italy are clearly taking up a strong position in world rugby… it really is a success story.”
The draw in Lille certainly was a remarkable feat coming as it did just five months after Italy ended their World Cup campaign with defeats by 17-96 to New Zealand and 7-60 to hosts France.
Argentine Quesada, who took over after the World Cup, spent most of his playing career in France and has coached both Racing 92 and Biarritz as well as Stade Francais who he led to the Top 14 title in 2015.
Playing as a flyhalf, he was the top points scorer at the 1999 World Cup, where Argentina emerged as a force by reaching the knock-out stages for the first time.
Having finished bottom of their pool in each of the first three World Cup tournaments, with an overall record of one win and eight defeats, they have reached the semifinals in three of the last five.
Powerful pack
Italy have never yet made it out of the pool stages at a World Cup.
They have only once finished above fifth in the Six Nations – coming fourth in 2013 when they beat both Ireland and France at home – and have finished with the wooden spoon in 18 of their 26 participations – that’s more than England have had in 129 participations in the competition, which began as the Home Nations before France and then Italy joined.
Two years ago, Italy had their best tournament, winning two and drawing one of their five matches, but still finished fifth.
But boosted by a powerful pack and talented outside backs, they have looked a different proposition this month.
“I believe Italy can win the Six Nations,” said Galthie.
“They can beat all the teams in the world’s top 10, and that’s really a great thing for world rugby.”
Italy’s rise has been slow. They have still never beaten either England or New Zealand.
But four years ago, they beat Australia for the first time, backing it up last year with a second successive victory over the Wallabies.
As well as earning a draw away to France in 2024, Italy came their closest yet to toppling England, outscoring them by three tries to two in a 27-24 reverse.
“A while ago, I heard talk about them needing to leave the Six Nations,” said Galthie.
“Thankfully, we have them because they open the way to what is possible.”
Italy will play in Garibaldi red jerseys for the match, in which the Garibaldi trophy is at stake.
Garibaldi was a 19th-century Italian revolutionary hero who was born in the French city of Nice, and also fought in a republican conflict in Brazil and the Uruguayan civil war, where his troops first adopted distinctive red shirts.
Players to watch
For France: After the Italians bullied the Irish pack last weekend, France head coach Fabien Galthie has selected giant locks Emmanuel Meafou and Thibaud Flament in the second row to deal with the physicality. Matthieu Jalibert is making the No.10 jersey his own, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey continues to be a standout on the wing.
For Italy: Star fullback Ange Capuozzo returns, and if his strong pack lays the foundations, he could get the quality ball to rip France to shreds. Centre Tommaso Menoncello gets better with each game, and he is also a key part in Italy’s improved defence. Prop Danilo Fischetti destroyed his opposite number in Dublin, and he is just an aggressive player, especially when he is running at you with speed.
Prediction
Rugby365: France by 14 points.
Teams:
France: 15 Theo Attissogbe, 14 Gael Drean, 13 Emilien Gailleton, 12 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
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: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Leonardo Marin, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Michele Lamaro (captain), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
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.
Date: Sunday, February 22
Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
Kick-off: 16.10 (15.10 GMT)
Expected weather: It will be cloudy and cool with a shower or two and strong wind gusts.
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
AFP & @rugby365com
