Italy make wholesale changes for France
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has named his team to face France on Sunday, February 25.
It will be the 50th meeting between the two teams.
Inside centre Federico Mori returns to the starting XV for the first time in almost two years.
Scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo makes his first start in the Six Nations.
The No.9 is paired with flyhalf Paolo Garbisi at halfback.
In the pack there is a whole new back row, consisting of Ross Vintcent, Manuel Lamaro and Riccardo Favretto.
Giosue Zilocchi and Giacomo Nicotera get promoted from the bench and join Danilo Fischetti as the front row.
Zebre second row Matteo Canali could be in line for his Test debut from the bench.
Italy are seeking their first win of this year’s Championship, while France bounced back from an opening weekend loss to Ireland to grab a late victory in Edinburgh in round two.
Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Federico Mori, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Manuel Lamaro, 6 Riccardo Favretto, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Giosue Zilocchi, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Andrea Zambonon, 21 Manuel Zulaini, 22 Stephen Varney, 23 Leonardo Marin.
Date: Sunday, February 25
Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
Kick-off: 16.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England) & Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
